But the winte chiefly remembered by our naturalists as the season when the B ohem ian W axwin g was first seen by the rising genera- tion of observers ; when several individuals of the Brown Creeper, the Thistle Bird, the Purple Finch, and the Cedar Bird were taken near St. John in January and February, and when large numbers of Crows and Robins spent the entire season in the Province. I uuuiLmio yi OJUWS anu . 231. Ampelis garrulus. Bohemian Waxwing. — An irregular winter resident, rare. A flight occurred in 1895 when several small flocks spent a month or more in the residential parts of the city. Mr. Geo. E. Atkinson recorded their arrival on February 3; they were absent from the 13th to the 22d, and were last seen on March 6; Mr. Nash took one at East Toronto on the 22d. 2 "Winter Birds of W ebpfcer,N. H.by'F'alco. We were induced on the authority of anotlier I person to include the Northern Wax-wing, ( Am - | pelis garrulus ), in our list published in the Forest ■ and Stream, but think it somewhat doubtful, | probably the Common Wax wing was mistaken ! for this species, as the observer was not scientific. O.&O. X. Jan. 1885. p./^t Brief Notes. 4 A flock of Bohemian Waxwings visited 11 s on March 12. A. M. Farmer, Amoskeag, N. H. 0.& O.Vol. 17, April 1892 p. 64 The Bohemian Waxwing in Vermont in Summer. — It has been my good fortune to spend the time from August 7 to the 20th at Willoughby Lake this summer. Lake Willoughby, in the town of Westmore in north- ern Vermont, about 25 miles from the Canadian border, is a well known region to the botanists and ornithologists of New England. On the sandy beach at the south end of the lake, between Mt. Pisgah and Mt. Hor there are many birches; some are bare, dead trees, while other are well covered with leaves. While at the beach August 18 a few Cedar Birds were about the trees, but on a dead tree, a Black-throated Green Warbler was looking over the branches, when what I first thought was a Cedar Bird flew to the same tree, and remained there a long time. As I looked at it, it seemed larger than a Cedar Bird; then I saw some white wing bars plainly. I watched it for twenty minutes or more, and when I left the beach it was still there. Since then I have had a dead Cedar Bird in my hand to examine, and this bird at Willoughby was certainly larger, and the white wing bars (3 I think) were plainly to be seen. There was plenty of time to look at the bird, for it remained just where it perched at first as long as I watched it, and there were no leaves or branches to hide it. I reported this incident to Dr. Walter Faxon of Cambridge, who is famil- iar with this region. I take the liberty to quote his reply: “ I do not doubt that the bird you saw was the Bohemian Waxwing. The size and particularly the white wing-bars would distinguish it from the Cedar Bird.” — Anna E. Cobb, Providence, R. I. Axik Jan .1915? . p . / o 3 / February 7 th a fine $ Bohemia n Waxwing was shot, and so far as I can ascertain it is the first ever captured here. ~€9- 6. Ampelis garrulus, Gmel. Dr. Frederic Lente, of Cold Spring, showed me a beautiful Waxwing of this species which was shot near his residence, several winters before. His son, Wm. K. Lente, informed me that he shot at several Bohemian Waxwings that sat in an evergreen tree close to their house. This oc- curred several years after the first specimen was taken. — Edgar A. Mearns, Highland Falls, New York. Bull, N, O.O. 3, Jan. , 1878. p, The Bohemian Waxwing in Northern New York. — I am indebted to Mr. George A. Davis for information regarding the occurrence of these beautiful birds in Mexico, Oswego Co., N Y. He first discovered them January 81, 1880, about a mile from the lake shore, in a section of country where the mountain-ash was abundant. A flock of some two hundred birds were feeding on the berries, in company with the Cedar Birds, and he captured a number. On February 2, he again visited the same locality, and shot twenty-three specimens ; this time no Cedar Birds were seen. After feeding, the flock would retire to a deep swamp, where they would remain until again hungry, when they would return until the berries were nearly exhausted. Mr. Davis has never before seen the Waxwings in flocks in his locality, but shot a single specimen in 1876. In all, he shot seventy specimens; and out of some twenty-five which I examined, but few were in full- adult plumage. Mr. Boardman writes me, that about a dozen birds in immature plumage were taken near St. Stephens, N. B., early in December, and that he has heard of them occurring all the way from Nova Scotia to Oregon, though I judge not in the southern parts of the New England and Middle States. — Rutiiven Deane, Cambridge, Mass. Bull. N, 0,0, 5, April, 1880. p. / 239. Northern Waxwing. — {Am,pelis _ , garrulus.) (Lin.) A rare winter visitant. Not recorded from this section previous to the winter of 1879-80. In December, ’79, MrN J. Hunter, of this place, observed a flock of sixteen of these beautiful birds in a mountain ash tree, about a half mile from Sterling, Cayuga Co., N. Y. Of these he shot twelve. Noticing the white marking on their wings, and supposing this to be an albinistic form of the Cedar Waxwing, he preserved the two best and brought them to Auburn. These, coming into the pos- session of Mr. Wright, were at once iden- tified. Two more specimens of this bird were taken about Christmas time of the same year at Pemi Yan, N. Y., by Reuben Wood" ( Gilbert p °* VJ1 - JuE - *882 . V .'/* The Bohemian Waxwing in Onondaga County, N. Y. — During the hard snow storm of Feb. to, 1899, a flock of about 50 Cedar Waxwings were seen in a mountain ash tree, feeding on the berries. The tree is on one of the principal residence streets of Syracuse, and is thickly populated, The observer, being an amateur collector, and living but a few houses from the place, returned for his gun and shot into the flock, securing several Cedar Waxwings, and one, which was seen to drop some distance from the tree, proved to be a Bohemian Waxwing (Amfielis garrulus ). This is the first specimen recorded from Onondaga County. It seems strange that this bird should be associated with its brother species. I would like to know if it has been taken or recorded farther south than Syracuse, and whether these two species are in the habit of flocking together ? — A. W. Perrior, Syracuse , N. V Auk, XVII, Jan., 1900, p.&S- The Bohemian Waxwing ( Bombycilla garrula) at Ithaca, N. Y. — While walking over the campus of Cornell University at noon on November 28, 1914, we observed a flock of about a dozen Cedar Waxwings in a group of trees that included a berry-laden mountain ash ( Pyrus americana). An hour later we had stopped to watch the birds again, and were discussing the points of difference between the notes of our two species of Waxwings. At that moment the characteristic notes of Bombycilla garrula most oppor- tunely caught our attention, and their author was presently distinguished among the rest of the Waxwings by means of its larger size and its white wing markings. In order that others might share in the pleasure of seeing such an unusual visitor, we summoned by ’phone Messrs. A. A. Allen, L. A. Fuertes, and A. H. Wright, and all were enabled to make observations on the bird under very favorable conditions. Its actions accorded with the proverbial gentleness and amicability of the Waxwings. It allowed a Cedar Waxwing to perch beside it and feed upon the same cluster of mountain-ash berries; and twice a berry seemed to be passed from one to the other. It was somewhat restless, and once it circled swiftly around a nearby house, swerving from side to side in an erratic course suggesting that of a Teal. The following prominent characters served to distinguish the Bohemian Waxwing from the other species in the field: its larger size; the white markings in the wing, conspicuous whether the bird is flying or at rest; the larger patch of black on its chin; its generally grayer coloration; and its chestnut-rufous under tail coverts. Furthermore, its notes are very diagnostic. Though similar in general form to the “ beady notes ” of B. cedrorum, the}' are less shrill, are more leisurely uttered, and have a more noticeable rolling sound. They are also more distinct, there being a comparatively greater interval between each syllable in the series. The call has been represented by Seebohm as cir-ir-ir-ir-re (quoted in Sharpe’s ‘ Hand-book to the Birds of Great Britain,’ Vol. I, p. 177) and by Cameron as zir-r-r-r (‘ The Auk,’ Vol. XXV, 1908, p. 47), but neither rendering seems to express exactly the decidedly sibi- lant quality of each syllable. The bird was collected by Dr. Allen, and sketched in the flesh by Mr. Fuertes. It proved to be an adult male in full plumage. The skin has been placed in the collection of the Cornell University Museum. This is the first specimen recorded from the Cayuga Lake Basin. On the following morning another Bohemian Waxwing was reported in the same place by Mr. H. H. Knight. — Ludlow Griscom and Francis Harper, Ithaca, N. Y. . * * t a . 1 _ M4L . /? rt-f-r. • j 6f Albinism in the Bohemian Waxwing. — On the morning of November 17, 1879, 1 shot a female Bohemian Waxwing ( Ampelis garrula), which presented a lighter appearance than the rest of the flock; and when picked up I discovered that it was an albino. The description of this bird is as follows : — While the color of the ordinary Bohemian Waxwings varies some in different birds, in this specimen it is fully two shades lighter all over the body. The chestnut of the under tail-coverts, the orange-brown of the front and sides of the head, are the same as in ordinary specimens ; but the velvety-black of the chin and the narrow line extending across the forehead and along the sides of the head, through the eyes, meeting on the occiput behind the crest, are in this specimen a dusky black. The very dark gray of the primaries, secondaries, and primary wing-coverts of the ordinary bird, is in this albino grayish-white, edged with brownish-ash ; the yellow (or white) stripe at the end of outer webs of the primaries is the same ; but directly opposite this, on the inner webs, is a triangular spot of pure white. The white tip on the outer webs of the secondaries is much larger than usual, and the secondaries are wax-tipped. The greater wing-coverts are pure white, delicately edged with brownish-ash, and broadly tipped with the same. This patch of white is very conspicuous, owing to its size. The yellow band on the tip of the tail is more of a lemon-color, and has not that distinct dividing line which is usual, but rather fades into the grayish-white of the tail- feathers. The tail-feathers above the yellow band are broadly edged on both webs with brownish-ash. The quills of the primaries, secondaries, the primary and greater wing-coverts, and the tail-feathers, are very dark gray; while the pure white patch on the sides of the under jaw, and the delicate crescent of white on the under eyelid, are the same as usual. Bill and feet normal. The peculiar markings of this specimen form a very beautiful bird, and, as it has been remarked, “ give it a frosty appear- ance.” — W. L. Walford, Minneapolis, Minn. Bull. N.O.G. 5, July. 1880, p, / & 3 - Y Bohemian Waxwing ( Ampelis garrulus.) Took two (2) specimens yesterday (Jan. 30th) from a flock of seventy or eighty on Clear Creek. These are the first I have seen here. These birds agree with Dr. Elliott Cones’ description, with one excep- tion, and that is in regard to the white on the under eyelid as in the Cedar Bird (A. cedrorum.) Yet these birds are un- doubtedly garrulous. I do not like to differ from such an ornithologist as the Doctor, but I will give my description and can show the specimen. Under tail cov- erts, chestnut; front and side of head, orange-brown color; primary wing cov- erts, tipped with white ; wings, with yel- low and white at outer web ; chin, black ; small black line across forehead and run- ning through eyes meets on back of head, just back of the crest ; bill and feet, black ; tail, tipped with yellow ; white on under eyelid, but none across forehead ; 7.9 in. long ; wing, 4.2 in. This bird generally retires south, but is occasionally seen dur- ing an open winter in large flocks. The prettiest thing about this bird is its curi- ous appendages on the inner quills of the wing, which resemble red wax. Al- though not a singer, it has a very pleasant note when heard in winter. 1 have never yet found signs of insect food in the stomach of these birds, and I am inclined to think they feed entirely on berries and seeds . — Charles F. Morrison, Ft. McKin- ney, Wyoming. Q.&G. YX.. Apt. 1884. p. w The Bohemian Waxwing. This magnificent bird is a tolerably common winter visitor to this locality, in fact it is a characteristic bird of the northwest. Inhabit- ing as it does the northern part of both hemis- pheres, straying in this country south to the northern tier of states in winter only, compar- atively few have an opportunity of observing its habits, hence a few notes may be of in- terest. As far as my experience goes I find that these birds visit this locality every two years. I remember seeing them in ’8:1 ; in ’85 they were quite common, in '87 they were found, but very few ; last year not a solitary bird ■ could be found, while this year they are more i numerous than ever before. In ’87 the first were seen the latter part of February, this year they put in an appearance on January 17, when a flock of about fifty were seen, since then they have been seen al- most daily up to date (February 20). All seen this year so far have been in the city; there are probably about four flocks of fifty each in different parts of the town. Occa- sionally they all join in one large flock and when they light on a mountain ash tree, it is surprising to see how the berries disappear. While thus engaged they are very tame, allow- ing a person to walk directly under the tree without taking alarm. While in search of food they are very restless, flying about from one place to another, remaining but a moment at each place till a suitable ground is found. After gorging themselves with mountain ash berries which form their principal article of diet, they fly to a neighboring tree to enjoy the effects of their meal. The tree selected is generally one tall enough to allow the sun’s rays to reach them over the house tops. Here they sit for hours if undisturbed, sunning them- selves and digesting their food; under such a tree the ground will be found strewn with the skins of the berries, they swallowing the pulp and seeds ; occasionally one will fly down to the roof of a house and take several large mouthfuls of snow; the berries seem to make them thirsty, as 1 have seen over half the flock eating snow at once, after feeding on the ber- ries. They are generally found feeding early in the morning and again late in the afternoon; where they spend the night I have never been able to ascertain, but they are always seen to depart in the same direction as evening draws near. Their manner of flight is peculiar; instead of moving in a compact body as most gregaui- ous birds do, they string out, only two or three birds being abreast, giving the flock a much larger appearance than it really is. They are a long bodied bird and together with their quite long tail and neck, they present an odd appearance in flight ; there is also a peculiar flutter of the wings, something characteristic of this species. Quite often they are found in a, frolicsome mood; a flock will pitch out of a tree top and with astonishing rapidity skim along near the ground, dart up over a. house, turn a sharp corner like a flash and presently return to the same tree as meek as can be. Sometimes this feat is performed by a single bird and can hard- ly he followed by the sight.. When acting thus their flight, most resembles the nervous flying of the Chimney Swift, but much more rapid. A Peregrine Falcon would, I believe, be taxed to his utmost to overtake a Waxwing. In looking over a series of these birds many curious forms are found. One has the outer quill of the tail only about one-fourtli as wide as its fellows, a regular “spurious quill’’ in fact. Another has the yellow band on the tail missing, with the exception of a few fine yellow threads in some of the feathers; it had surely not been worn off as the tail was per- fectly formed. Others have the yellow mottled with black and still others have the color bright and pure on one side of the tail and either missing or pale on the other. High plumaged birds have the red “wax” on the tip of the tail as well as the wings, they are also said to have it occasionally on the end of the crest but 1 have never found one ; they are generally more highly developed in the male. These red appendages do not necessarily de- note maturity, for on Oct. 9, 1888, I took a young bird in streaked plumage with the “wax” well developed. Taking this bird at that time of the year 1 consider of unusual oc- currence and must have been raised in the vicinity as it was very young, pin feathers showing in various places. It was taken in the city, in company with a flock of young Cedar birds. 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B. / During the Winter of 1879, ’80, the Ce- dar Bird ( Ampelis cedrorum) weathered the rigors of our climate as late as the middle of January, (?. + (?. /fr Birds Of Upper St, John, Batchelder. 36. Ampelis cedrorum ( VieilL)^ Bd. ^ Cedarbird. — It was not un- common at Gmnd F^lls. At Fort Fairfield we found it common. Bali. N. O.O, 7, April, 1882, p.llO junw At ■ . A/. I give a few causes that may be attribu- ted to these birds rem aining with us through this particular Winter, not that it was milder than usual, or more broken ; rather the reverse, for several days the mercury reached the cypher. The abundance of food the Cedar Birds found in the berries of the Mountain Ash was a great attraction for them, for on these they fed sumptous- ly ; in fact, gorging themselves to such an extent that they would apparently become stupid, and when in this state allow them- selves to be captured by means of a wire noose attached to a fishing rod. If the wire happened to touch them before you succeeded in placing it over their heads, it would not alarm them in the least. They would pick at it, turn their heads and ex- amine it, as though it were quite a curiosi- ty. When one was captured the balance of the flock would fly away in great alarm. I kept several of these birds in confine- ment that I had captured in this way ; they, however, proved themselves such very uninteresting pets that I afterwards gave them their liberty. The abundance of food they found in the berries must have been a great attrac- tion to them, for when the supply was ex- hausted, and they had entirely stripped the trees, they disappeared, and did not again put in an appearance until June, which is their usual time of arriving from the south. None of the specimens that I captured had the usual waxen appendages on the secondaries, and were mostly young birds which had probably bred farther north and were only then moving south as scarcity of food and severity of weather compelled them ; but why does not this occur every year ? The berries upon which they fed have since been as abun- dant and no Cedar Birds have appeared at this late season. Their appearance may then be attributed to an erratic migration on the part of these birds. I was quite disappointed on first discovering them to find they were not the Bohemian Wax- wing, {Ampelis garrula ), for which bird I have kept a sharp lookout, but have not as yet succeeded in securing a single speci- men. Q'lrGP- \/n. /3w. Last Dates Migratory Birds observed by B. D . Win tie, Falll885, Montreal, Can. 'b&its. f 17, Cedar Bird, O.&O. XI, Mar. 1886. p. i/A Breeding Dates of Birds inKings County, N. S. Watson L. Bishop. Cedarbird ( Ampelis cedrodrum). June 20. July 3, 4. O.&O. XIII. Mar. 1888 p.45 common summer >.236 n Notes from St. John, N. B. / During the Winter of 1879, ’80, the Ce- dar Bird ( Ampelis cedrorum) weathered the rigors of our climate as late as the middle of January/ Cp. + (?. v //.>***<£ /frfr*- /* • Birds Of Tipper St, John, Batohelder. Cbuarbird. — It was not un- we found it coran Baa 1ST. 0.0 , 7 4 April, 1832, p.HO Amoelis cedrorum ( Vieill.) Bd common at Grand Falls. At Fort Fairfield we found it commo . Last Dates Migratory Birds °h serve d by E. D . Wintle, Falll885, Montreal, Can. 17, Cedar Bird, O.&O. XI, Mar. 188Q. p. •qoo.tq v Sui.8ni3q.iaAO saqsnq .iapp! raojj joqs araAt pun ‘8uos qnj ui a.iaAf sp.nq qjog '6181 ‘qi6 anuf ‘A/qnoo]; aures aqj ui tq8i.iy\y apj Tq uaqtq suav aprai puooas Y i 'X ‘nSnluQ jo aSuqtA aqj jreau jqSi.x^ -g g /q uaquj sum. ajuui jjnpu uu ‘ 618 T ‘ l lf 9 eung -disuog; (-ui-0) {-mmoiMuiv nzidjg) — •ouu.Kng; auxvoHHX-snvug 'Ofg '(hraqiTD) 'PooM uaqnag Iq ‘y ‘uuy uuag ju maf auras Breeding Dates of Birds in Kings County, N.S. Watson L. Bishop. Cedarbird ( Ampelis cedrodrum). June 20 July 3,4. O.&O. XIII. Mar. 1888 p.45 •ujnqny ju paqijuapi pun ‘juoutag; y 'uiyy Aq ‘6181 riaqojoQ ‘/I ‘oqirj uSn/uo uo uaquj sum. aSuunqd axupsuiun ui uauiroads auo 'uuig Birds within Ten Miles of Point de Monts, Can, Comeau& Merrian. 26. Ampelis cedrorum. Cedar-bird. — A tolerably common summer resident. Ball. N.O.O. 7 L Oot| 1882, p,235 Summer Birds of Sudbury, Ont. A.H.Alberger. 019. Cedar Bird. Ab undant, Breed s. sv, ise©« myo, p,88 n 20th. Some Cedar birds came March 1 5 and remained until ?f ay There were eight the first day and they increased to 13. They fed only on the dry berries of the mountain ash, and although old birds, they red each other exactly as they reed their They left at a time when the young. species usually arrives here. n M Some Cedar biros came March If, and remained until „ay '10th. There were eight the first day and they increased to 13 . They fed only o n the dry berries of the mountain ash, and although old birds, they fed each other exactly as they feed their young. They left at a tlp when the species usually arrives here. /nf / y 'J'-J f I a i- 1_<_ ~7~ c < L irjZsCc^A^ fltfit h- <7Vr» M( e . ' ~ ^ Idsf t^T 4i_ CV /$'&“?- S^f tt^TO^S wf <•'**£**“' InsJcCi 4/f/«I, C A single flock of Cedarbirds (about twenty in number) appeared on February 6. y 1 ' Auk, 71. July, 1889. p. £#/• Summer Birds Tim Pond Me. byF.H. C» i /r *S~' Cedar Waxwing, ( Amphelis cedorum). Com- monest bird about tlie camps. O.&O. XI. Feb. 1886. p. 34' Birds of Dead River Region, Me. F. H. 0. 38. Ampelis cedrorum, (Cedar Waxwing). One of the most abundant birds of the forests, being found about Seven Ponds in numbers, and were far more common in the wilderness than in the cultivated districts. No nests were found, but they undoubtedly breed, as Mr. Freeborn has many sets, collected in his vicinity. I was absent from the region during their usual period of nest- ing, which may account for my failure to record their nidification. O.&O. XI. Oct. 1886. p. 146 Fall Birds of Northern Maine. F. H. Carpenter. Cedar Waxwing ( Ampelis cedrorum). I have always met this bird in every section of Maine, j and this trip was no exception. °* & °‘ ^ Nov. 1887 p. J88 — ' Cedai ' bi «l. Common at Boothbay. O.mdO, 15a Nov, 1800, p, a «4 ; r •v-' - 30 Shelburxfe, N. H. Aug. 8-29-1865. R?D. Uv ^ f Ry& Beach, N. H. Jujy 23-24 1885.^ , ", - ^ y/'/0 % f u Li Ct dj f) Vc - • >v 1894. /l-lo-U* *3 z v 4 , 6*' ;u * z 7 f ^ ? * . ; /UjcA (L \ t /’v ■- ^ eU |, w A— IT) , ^ c /rdf- Y** ** ' /YZZ -I 4 ^ j "j ' olryifuXoi Mass.- near Cambridge. /mr % e^L /jV* /ft*\ /m /&*. £7^: " M ? H '°- ^ ° z ° y ltsi " ^V- /jfi 1 f< c 'J^ji f\ 3 \ / 2 V /f£? Z3*° fflU) ArJ*- X I AK ZZZZ, ^ t /^C^r — d^sZf—D Z-JLC-+~-+. *^*-Z . cZZZ '/ i^r TTATZTT^ 'Uy7v*^~ ^ /C^s^u-Jl/ .^ : ' ^ e*-Z^T O Am ((LcX*- CxZZ £L./j CL <^<-j i*-*-Ccj l/f*S ■ { ^yXo^ / b-t-cAzi ^«_ Z^i. /fjtx£/^££s t/Zy Cv-^A^ tZZZy **- zZZZZZ 7ZZ ('fcs <^2-X C< c <* / t t. ^ ^ cj^<^lAt-x-y L-XAJxy*. J%£-aA. y ~ZyLr J /^7 */ /£. ^c/ o-x-Z. " ^ zz^ 1.4^ / ^7 2aZZj ^/g - » ~£ £*-*- "'1 ,.v.. ^ - / / /" r O dZZdxXii s * ^ - - A v /*>- '• ~ irTmceton &TNTO. Jutland, ^ss.June,l&-l 886. 'ittZO. z ^a^^' diy^y^ 7 Co-^jLcL c_ ,/u7^«-vy s y . Pigepn Cove, Msss-July, 99-3^85. - Gn******~~' r vao% ® p r i^ottS^k Hutiand, STass. Aug. 2-1885 f Ou^Ufr .#'1. f + — iJwiri f / i • f • i^rmcetou IHitland,Z&Lass. June,l&-1888. it. d^Lij - r Itjri hfctJK L-l~~ ^ Of <-» ~tz^~ yyLa44, (Vw-«a ) J A/nfaL»6/W 3 0^? r-au^L ^./7^.u'^ iXj/isCiL <* ~ yC&i^v3.jWQ_ /3l_/y' J-A fi-Jf. /' . f f - /o i c _ >3 A)’ !2 _ 1 7% J\/Losh , ( j 77 Ijtn^nSj o -vt. ^ ZlZcZl-^J c*i>vi [P^e^- fs^ydy) A^x. v^lyui _ PPcAs-^teZ. riAAsw-aJ- MAY 25 188 <^v-t>^ c^bly o. ^ Z^CCi^L*^ ^/ (A ««_^_A_ <5—ec^, t gg nt, t i » C-A-y^—<-e>^ t/j7~ ^ uC~^lA) /Pb, ^7777 — **&" -y^e7~ ( Kscr b^Aet^j ^ / Af«ss. («e«^ Cambridge). S Sy /j^lf /ttV foJtte , , yn^n^^i x -i /Lteu. ***- 7K ~' fVWw, '**' A rJilo^A ^./•-V„,,r” -^vv- '* ^ /UtMIL^V ' VVWy ■'■• ; y f jjxs xs*** ***»»$ i Birds observed in Naval Hospital Q-r-ounds, Brooklyn, G-. H, Ooues 33. Ampelis cedrormn. Cedar-Bird. — Common. SrnUL N.O.O. 4, Jan. ,1879, p,32 Birds of the Adirondack Region. CJ.H.Merriana. 47. Ampelis cedrorum ( Vieillot ) Baird. Cedar-bird. — Common summer resident nesting in dense alder thickets near water. Bu& N.O.O, 8, Oct, 1881, p, 229 March 15, Ampelis cedrorum , , (619). Cedar Waxwing. O.&O. XI. July. 1886. p.109 Arrival s of Mig’y Birds, Spring-1880, Central Park, N. Y. City. A. Q. Paine, Jr. In October flocks of Cedar birds ( Ampelis cedrortitn ) migrated south very regularly. Avsfe.0, .Apr, 1889, p, 202 Hi Birds of Washington Co. Oregon. A. W. Anthony. * 91. Ampelis cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. — Common throughout the summer. A*k, 3. April, 1880. p.170 Albiniam and Melanism in North American BiTdSt Butiiven Deane, , cedrorum has been tak» in .o,«. »»* appendages on the wings, “ > ft , bo dy bote a feathers retaining coloi, while t bleached out appearance. BullN.O.C. l.April,1876 )P .2l Descriptions of First Plumage of Cer- tain North Am, Bbs. Wm. Brewster. 47. Ampelis cedrorum. First plumage : female. Above generally duller cinnamon than in adult, with obscure streakings of dusky-buff ; rump grayish-brown with a tinge of olive. Tail narrowly tipped with gamboge-yellow. Two secon- daries on each wing slightly tipped with the red waxen appendages. En- tire under parts brownish-huff, palest about anal region, deepest on throat and chin ; breast and sides streaked thickly with cinnamon- brown. A dull black line, starting from the nostril, passes through the lore to the eye, where it terminates, embracing, however, the anterior half of both eye- lids. From a specimen in my collection, taken at Upton, Me., August 14, 1874. I have seen specimens of this species in the first plumage with not only the secondaries wax-tipped, hut several of the tail-feathers also. Nor is this horny appendage peculiar to the male, as has been stated, for several undoubted females before me have it fully developed. Much va- riation likewise obtains among different individuals In respect to the num- ber and position of these appendages. One specimen (a male, Cambridge, March 21, 1870) has every feather of the tail conspicuously wax-tipped, in addition to nine of the secondaries on each wing, while another has the primaries (excepting the first three) tipped broadly with white, and in the centre of each white spot a smaller one of yellow. BuLL N. O.O. 3, April, 1878. p. £y. Brief Notes. A Rare Bird.— While collecting in Williamsport, Md., the past winter, I was fortunate enough to secure a fine partial Albin o Cedar Bird. A description of the bird may- be of interest to some of the readers of the O. and O. Back, white streaked with blackish brown ; head and breast, a mixture of reddish brown and white ; throat, white ; breast, light reddish brown, running into yellow on the abdomen ; wings, white with a blackish bar running diagonal- ly across and having the wax tips ; tail, white with the usual yellow tips ; feet and bill, several shades lighter than those of a normally colored specimen. These colors and mixtures combined to form one of the most beautiful birds that I ever had the pleasure to look upon.— .7. F. Whiting , Dorchester , Mass. O.&Q. IX.May. X8b4.p.(,/. 5 ) Cvr £rj~^X rttC. Kta^u IV Wv /“J^< »» T f >/ . I/. . . <*:*. 3. Ampelis cedrorum, (Linne) Sclater. Cedar-Bird. — I have been so struck by the great variation in different specimens of this species, in regard to the red wax-like appendages, that I have taken particular pains to procure a large series of specimens illustrating this difference. In this series I can scarcely detect any sexual difference in that respect, except that the particularly well-developed specimens are all males. In the normal plumage the waxen appendages are confined to the tips of the secondary remiges, but in my cabinet are several specimens which have them affixed to the primaries, and in several instances even to the rec- trices ; but they are usually small and few in number. One specimen has several of these attachments to the primaries, which are nearly as well developed as those on the secondaries. But the most remarkable speci- men is a handsome male (No. 545, $ ad., April 11, 1875, Highland Falls, N. Y., E. A. M.), having these ornaments attached, not only to each of the secondaries and three of the primaries, but each of the rectrices is embellished by a well-developed red appendage. Several other specimens have large red tips to each of the rectrices ; and one (No. 1558 g, Feb. 23, 1878, E. A. M.) has five of its primary remiges (5th to 9th) tipped with yellow. Professor Baird t says : “ A specimen from Guatemala (No. 50,455 g) is almost identical with examples from the United States, but differs in having a small spot of yellow at the tip of each primary ; also there are red appendages on the tip of a few tail-feathers, as well as the longest feather of the lower tail-coverts.” J While speaking of this species, it may be well to add, that in specimens taken in worn plumage, late in summer, the colors are very much bleached, all of the colors being very much paler ; the white band across the fore- head is very much broadened, and the black of the chin much lightened. The top of the head and neck has an ochraceous suffusion, and the cinna- mon-color of the back extends into, and partially subdues the ash of the rump. t Baird, Brewer, and Bidgway, Birds N. Am., Vol. I, p. 401 1874. + Italics my own. Bull. N. O.C, 3, April, 1878 , p. 707JL- Vrl XX / fc- MS/i-W-M A PRESUMABLY NEW FACT REI^TIVE TO THE CEDAR WAXWING (. AMPELIS CEDROiUM), WITH REMARKS UPON THE IMPORTANCE OF A THOROUGH KNOWL- EDGE OF FIRST PLUMAGES. BY EDWIN M. HASBROTJCK, WASHINGTON, D. C. It is considered by every one that the individual wax wing pos- sessing wax tips on both secondaries and rectrices is in the highest development of plumage, while a high development of plumage In any species whatever is usually accorded to the older birds. Coues states that, “ Specimens apparently mature and full- feathered frequently lack the wax-tips”; that “their normal appearance is unknown,” and that “ birds in the earliest known plumage may possess one or more.” Beyond this little appears to be known. In a somewhat extensive series of waxwings in the National Museum, in my own and other collections, appendages on the wings were developed in forty-five, fifteen displayed the orna- ments onjboth wings and tail, while the remainder, apparently adult birds, were entirely unadorned. (It might be well to state that the females as well as the males possess these tips, although less frequently, while some specimens examined showed the or- naments on both wings and tail.) Now, the natural conclusion from this would be that those birds possessing wing-tips only were older than those having none at all, while the fifteen on which both wings and tail were adorned were even older and were in the highest perfection of plumage. This is disproved by the fact that four birds of the year still in the striated plumage, taken in August, September, and October, respectively, display very distinct tips on the secondaries; and if on the secondaries at this early age when older birds possess none at all, why should they not also appear on* the tail-feathers? The supposition of older birds only being adorned being disposed of, the question arises, When do these horny appendages appear ? and on this I am able to throw considerable light. It was in the summer of 1884 that I was spending a month at Port Byron, N. Y., when I ran across a nest of the wax wing, con- taining four young, every one of which had the wax tips on tail and wings perfectly developed. These birds were nearly fledged, although unable to fly, and I had good opportunity to observe them. Not being interested in collecting birds at that time they were not preserved, a circumstance to be regretted, but the full import of these appendages being developed in nestlings was ap- preciated. The following table for the calendar year shows the conditions of specimens examined. So regularly and so nearly is it com- pletely tilled that it is evident that an examination of a larger series would undoubtedly fill the gaps.' Month. Wings. Both. Jan. 5 Feb. $ 6 Mar. $ ? Apr. s ? $ May 6 ? $ June ? ? July $ S Aug. $ 5 $ im s Sept. S S im Oct. ? (Jim Nov. $ Dec. $ None. i ? 4 ? ? 4 4 ? 4 ? 4 4 ? 4 ? ? 4 ? 4 With this evidence it is apparent that these handsome ornaments are by no means a sign of age, but are, on the contrary, a purely individual development, appearing sometimes in tlieir highest perfection in the nestling, while in an adult they may be entirely absent or barely beginning to appear; or again, appearing a few months after attaining first plumage, to go through a regular course of growth and development. Inasmuch as an individual with wax on both tail and wings is exceedingly rare, and the August and September birds are just beginning to acquire the tips it would be interesting to know just how often this develop- ment in the nest occurs, and this is published mainly with the hope of eliciting further information on the subject, and of prompting those in the field to be on the watch the comingr season. The importance of thus studying the first plumages cannot be too highly estimated, for not until comparatively recent years has a careful and thorough study of the life-history of each and 1 In this table an attempt has been made to show merely that both sexes are adorned for each month in the respective columns. In a number of in- stances several individuals were found for each. every one of our birds been deemed of any great importance bv ornithologists. Of late, owing to the discovery of numerous errors that had crept into our nomenclature, careful attention has been paid to a species from the time of its advent into the world to a period when beyond all doubt it has reached its maturity. To the collector who accumulates a series, it is only too apparent how great is the difference between individuals, and that his series is not complete until each and every phase of plumage from various widely separated localities is represented. Late in the season, while the full migration is at its height, a bird is secured which for the life of him he cannot name; in vain | he searches the literature, compares specimens, and puzzles and worries only to find it at last an old acquaintance flitting under new colors. I have in mind a young man who, although not an accomplished ornithologist, ought to have known better, and who essayed to publish a list of the birds of the locality in which he lived. One winter he secured a bird entirely unknown to him, and in his dilemma sent it to the Smithsonian for identification ; | on its return the label bore: “American Goldfinch in winter plumage.” This may be a little foreign to the subject but it ! shows how necessary was a thorough knowledge of the life-bistory 1 of the species. Nor was it so very long ago that the “Gray Eagle,” which for years was accorded specific rank, was found to be but an immature phase of Haliceetus leucocephalus, while I Oidemia perspioillata trowbridgii was shown to be but a seasonal variation of perspioillata proper. Even to this day it appears not to be generally known that the Golden Eagle takes from three to five years to acquire its full plumage; that the Bald Eagle attains his highest plumage at the age of three, the various inteimediate I stages being known as the Black Eagle, Gray Eagle, etc., and that the Little Blue Heron is pure white the first year, mottled and variegated with blue in every conceivable manner the second, and attains the perfection of its plumage only at the age of three; ' yet such are the facts. These are but isolated cases, while any day may bring about the unification of some two forms which at present are considered at least sub-specifically distinct. H5 i Ank, XIV, July, 1897 , pp- X 77 - 2 . ^ Ampelis cedrorum ( Vieill.). , \3 Cr~y-w^ C 0^ O.&O. IX. Deo. 188- • P Sirds Tioga 00, N. Y. Aide* Loring 151. Cedar Waxwing. Common. This bird is very useful in one way and quite destructive in another; useful, because up to the first of July their food consists of flies and insects; perched on the top of a tree they quietly wait for their prey to pass, when they dart out and often catch three or four flies before returning; destructive, because when cherries get ripe their food consists principally of them. The Cedar Bird arrives from the south in flocks about the middle of March. Near the middle of May, immediately after mating, the nest is built. This is placed on a horizontal limb from twenty to thirty feet from the ground, and is composed of dried grass and weeds, and is lined with fine roots, pine needles, etc. It is deeply hollowed, and contains, four to five eggs of a light bluish color with a slight purple tinge, marked more or less with blotches and spots of black and more obscure lines of purplish-brown. The nfeasurement is 7-8 in. by 19-30 in. About the first of September these birds gather in flocks of fifty to seventy- five individuals. At this time they live on the berries of the mountain ash. As the last of this month expires they leave for the south. it . Oi §sQ, HVt June, 1830, p»§2 Amfelis cedrorum as a Sap-sucker. — The Cedar, or Cherry-Bird seems never to be very abundant in this section of the State ; but early in the spring, when the birds first arrived from the south, I saw quite a large number of them, and observed what was to me a new habit. They resort- ed to the maple trees for the purpose of gathering the sap flowing from wounds made by the ice in the bark of the smaller branches. The birds would grasp a branch or twig with their claws, and partially swing them- selves under it and drink the sap where it hung in drops. For a week or more these birds were so plentiful and so intent upon their sap-gathering that one was almost certain to find a flock wherever there was a group of maples. I took considerable pains to ascertain if this habit was shared by any other bird, but did not observe a single instance. In the Eastern States I have often seen squirrels drinking sap from the branches in this way, but never before saw it done by a bird. — F. E. L. Beal, Ames , 1 oiv a. Bull. N.O.G, 7, Jan, 1882, p. * ■i j I i Young £edarbirds and Great Crested Flycatchers in Captivity. — While in Tamworth, N. H., last July, I imprisoned two broods of young birds when just ready to fly, with ia view to seeing what their parents would do about it. One brood consisted of five Cedarbirds and the other of four Great Crested Flycatchers. I imprisoned the Cedarbirds on July io, placing them in an ordinary wire canary cage. Their cries, when be- ing caged, brought the mother, who first flew in my face and then perched on the outer edge of the cage as it rested on my knees. I put the cage very near the house, and it was only a short time before the parent birds began consoling the young with cherries ( Primus pennsylvanicci) . During the twelve days of their captivity the young were supplied with 8400 cher- ries, or one cherry a bird every six minutes. I ascertained the number by counting and weighing the stones left by them in the bottom of their cage. On an average the old bird or birds made 140 visits a day, bringing five cherries, each time. One was carried in the beak, and the others were jerked up from the throat one by one until all of the five young were fed. At their release the young were so tame that they returned to take cher- ries, from my fingers, but the old birds soon enticed them away. The young Great Crested Flycatchers were taken from their cavern in an apple tree on July 21, and placed in a wire cage which I hung in the next tree. I could see it from my barn door. The old birds would never go near the young if I was in sight. Concealed, I watched them with . a glass and occasionally saw the young fed. They were given harvest flies, dragon flies, and various beetles, and also smaller insects of which they left no fragments. I kept them caged until early in August. They were as wild on the last day as on the first, and if the parents changed their feel- ings towards me, it was only by i nte nsifying their hatred. — Frank BolleS, Cambridge, Mass. -i.uk* VII. July, 18 SO, p, The Qologist. 1635. The Cedar Waiving Eating Potato Bugs. By George W. Vosburg. Ibid., p. 237. Auk, Vll. Jan. 1890 . p. Vfe ■ jit. 1487. The Wax-wings. By W. L. Kells. ‘The Sunny South Oologist ,’ ' Vol. I, No. 1, March, 1886, pp. 1-2. -fi-tlll, Vll. Jan. 1890 . p. J TO- 396. Notes from St. John, N. B. By Harold Gilbert. Ibid., p. 134. — Notes on the Cedar Bird, Golden-winged Woodpecker, Robin, and Bo- hemian Wax-wing as winter birds, etc. Qf, S 3 ©» V 7 )l« W H Eastern Massachusetts. 77/tffJHX XtolriAi- xo'^l is«_7F*J7 3T -llH-.'/f*3uo* M*\ZiLZ-r. Mip wUxjjrf/ U u 6 - //. 2 . /3 -/*/* /l. 17 . /yy /?/-*- 2 Z* is*W26-- ¥ 2t s W3o /^tL /(2 ^7* zir& j *4 7 ^ £ - /- /* 7 774 //4 JwteO rn. /ot 1 /vO*^. -tt>tn4A£ycC ^ ^ J 7 - 77 r 7 ^ 1 ' 777 / ^ ^ti v* /to vTto J-J,- 74 J-4 $to7 to - 7/4 /2%Ljv± /T4 77-/4 4 77 4 2o^J/ L 23. M. AT. ( /H? 3 tr\wob> _Z7®2'«®-/?®‘30- - 4 **W. /to J 0 . 1 : , 3 ! a//r*v 3 i wi*- Y $ ’ ^ ^ C ^~* / " v ^ 7^-^y A/Va/^^a^ ^2*5 *t AxrW~ / c ft . 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I \ ^t-c ^ y/yP^T^ £4/ i ^^ /iy/ ? ’si/~yP— &trf~ '^i^y pfotsy- yP^tp^y^P~' tPty 1 P'^Pu y, /'a'L^' ayy^aP **+ •'/r/fy *t^y ^ tC^U- -/n^- P^c /4 i ^ t - 4^ ” Zl_ yu^, /- — *» 0 ^" ■^U'/yC ' ^y ^ /j^ y^C^Pisi^L' 7 , s / y#' 'tr/u^-- X ^>M^>lS> /? Z^'J Z ^ia^:>^Uc ?fcc- ^z**.- 'P^L4*7- A y /■'Y’J'^^ ^'^/'(' 't-' /*-■ S0 ~/Ctyj~- ^ . a/ //Zc ^''■z /u^ jf f* Aui^^C- ,/^Z Zt^>^~ . / Z~t yL ' / P^>^~^^C < Z ^<-' ^y^C /(yi^c / tfyi^tyiy* ty~ty( y (f~' '/%<- '^i/Cyty? tyfoyCy^y. yCx^ 'fayC*** a/ ^ '/%<' Z^- / sz^?s jy^vc 'j^' C/Us^c T ^yyy* 1 a Decrease of the Purple Martin. For the Maine Sportsman. L. W. Robbins of Gardiner, in speaking of the decrease of the purple martin, does not think they have been driven away by the Eugiish sparrow. They have been leaving here for ten years or more, and I have been looking sharply after the cause. The English sparrow gets possession of the boxes before the arrival of the martins in the spring, and many of them used to nest together in the same boxes, but kept fighting all the time. Unless the martins keep a strict watch, the sparrows will steal their nest material and they will take the chick mar- tins by the neck and drop them to the ground to feed the cats I have found four little chicks at one time of the martins on the ground after a fight. A piece of lath nailed over the holes in the boxes as soon as the martins leave in August and not take them off until about the time they return in the spring will keep them for a time, but they will not nest long where they have to fight the sparrows. Out of the dozens of mar- tin houses in this vicinity 1 only know of one that had martins last year, and that one not one-fourth the oldtime number. I used to see purple martins breeding in holes of trees in Califor- nia, and I suppose our birds now go to the forest and breed in holes like woodpeckers. Gf.o. A. Boardman. Calais, Jan’y 19, 1897. 5 ? 2 a- $ i? vrtA- *■»*"» tAf'-'WwC, 77. A7 /] U / 0 -ex-e-'V - 1/^.1 _A» <7_ l -)■ / 7 C Cib , Ur~i) (/X. tj. “Awl 3 . 2 . O J f i Lvl UAjU aa a A . C.xA\_ ( J 7) l*HA vy^ f <£*-**- J ^ Uaa, W »aJa»c. . ? Wvy 'aMa, ^Wk. V vj 6-4 •^trtXAr-SA I hrlxt-MA^i V’-S-C T^x, V jx Cvyvy (X>\_ L*Xy~ ctc~W V> » 4, Xma. (Va IiVwvX. (UaaIV^ 'j^hAA |0«A^ Y Uvaj C«iM>m4A Sa, aWaA . yy _eA_ -_e- - _ca- — lZCLj - ca - e . , ca - jl - fA - UJ^ - «a -t hv» rH *d >> a rH d a a & a CO o CO © ^3 2 © ts xi +» .a CO & a a +-■ * rH O -rH W «s CO © CO +a a a a O -5 © gs *d +3 r-l XI © o ho a CO r-l > ra © • .a k -P C3 • .a © -P r-H X> 10 *rH © CO -p a o < a CQ O O Fh ■•H m •d -rH The Zoological Society of Philadelphia. Pai rmoun t Park . Philadelphia, April 5, 1900. Dear Mr.Hoopes- I an in receipt of yours of yesterday. I am, indeed, very much disappointed to learn that your brother has erected a new box in his yard, and am much afraid his doing so has materi- ally lessened my chance of getting the birds here for, as you know, my main hope depended on the birds from the box I erect- ed on your place last spring not finding quarters for them in their old locality and in consequence coming here where they had been so often last year that the place had become familiar to them. The fact of there being a new box in close proximity to the location of the old one will in all probability induce them to settle in it whereas otherwise it seems to me they would have come here. Now, I fear, all ray trouble and work is to go for nothing Very truly yours, Kob't D. Carson. ( copy ) . The Zoological Society of Philadelphia. Fairmount Pari:. t Philadelphia, May 6, 1900. Mr . J o s i ah Ho o pe s , Dear Sir, On Saturday, April 28, several martins visited the Garden. They remained some little time flying aoout and feed- ing. I was away and cannot say that they alighted on the box but think not. This is all the encouragement I have had so far . Will you be kind enough to notify me when your birds begi* to build. It is not quite time for them yet I think. In case they do not come here, as I am afraid, would you care to spare me out of your abundance a few half grown young ones? I think with the experience we had last year we would be able to raise them and it would give us one more chance to establish the colony I so much want. Ten or a dozen would be enough or if you would not care to have so many taiien I would try it with less. They could be taken when most of the old birds are away and but one from a clutch. If you wuld not care to have the box disturbed you will, of course, not hesitate to say so. Very truly yours, ( copy ) . Rob't D. Carson. The Zoological Society of Philadelphia. Fa i rmount Park . Philadelphia, June 26, 1900. Dear Mr.Hoopes, The report of the Martins having returned to my box is true. I was waiting until I could find time to write you and also until I was assured they had come to stay and I did not know the papers had said anything about the matter. Yes, in spite of my several disappointments the birds have come and, I begin to feel, they will be a fixture, and, moreover, their actions prove that some of them if not all are those I raised by hand. On last Saturday at 1.15 P.M. 8 came to the box all remaining half an hour. One pair. stayed until nearly 7 o'- clock. On Sunday all came again and remained all day. One pair commenced building. They were here again yesterday and today, very ousy and happy and apparently quite at home. Is this not very late for them to nest? I feel very much gratified that my plan to colonise them here has been successful. No one seemed to have the slight- est idea it would be. I again thank you for your share in the experiment in allowing me to place my box in your yard and hope you will come to see my birds. Very truly yours, Rob't D. Carson. ( copy ) . The Zoological Society of Philadelphia. Pa i rmoun t Pari; . Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1900. Dear Mr.Hoopes, One and perhaps two pairs of Martins bred in my oox this season, out in addition to those that bred, there were two or three pairs and sometimes more on and about the oox nearly every day and, on the 18th of August, at about dush, there must have been over 100 in sight at once. A few were seen early the next day but, with the exception of the young birds from my box which left on the 24th, none have been seen since, to know I would like A when your birds left so, if you have the date, I will be obliged if you will send it to me. I think I may say that the Martins have yielded to the determined effort to bring them here and will in future make the Zoo one of their summer homes. I thank you however for your offer to place your colony at my service again. Very truly yours, ( copy ) . Rob ' t D. Carson. The Zoological Society of Philadelphia. Fa i rmoun t Parle . My dear Mr.Hoopes- May 12, 1901. On April 30 I saw one Martin on the box but none since until today at 12 M. when several appeared and seem to have made up their minds to remain. I have been disappointed that they did not come before and cannot understand it. Ex- cuse postal and haste. Very truly yours, Rob 1 1 D. Carson. ( copy ). The Zoological Society of Philadelphia. Fairmount Park. Philadelphia, July 30, 1901. Dear Mr.Hoopes, I regret I can say nothing very encouraging about the Martins. As you know, they bred in my box last year and I was quite sure I would have more this year, but, although, several pairs came and remained several weeks, they finally left; some or all of them have been back at intervals but they certainly have not bred here and I have seen none at all for the past three weeks. I hope for better luck next year. Very truly yours, Rob't D. Carson. ( copy ). loaiii of Agrirultur? OF DELAWARE. S. H. MESSICK, Bridgeville, President. CHARLES J. PENNOOK, I^JJL -75 ) The Zoological Gardens. Philadelphia, January oth, 1904. Mr. Charles J. Pennock, Kennett Square, Pa. , Dear Sir:- I have been away from my office for some weeks and this will explain why your inquiry, regarding my attempt to induce the Martins to colonize in the Zoological Gardens, has not received attention before. I regret to say that the ex- periment did not result in the birds locating here permanently In the Spring of 1898 I had two swinging Martin boxes, each of 24 compartments, 12 on each side, put up on a pole near the office. No Martins appeared that year and, I may say, that none, as far as I know, had ever been seen in the Gardens. The following Spring, that of 1899, through the kindness of Mr.Josiah Hoopes, I had a pole with a cross-arm erected near his colony in West Chester, to which on March 13th., I swung one of my boxes, at the same height and facing the same direction as it did here; this box was so arranged that by pulling a cord the openings into the interior could be closed. Mr. Hoopes kept me informed, first - that the box was tenanted, then that the old birds were feeding 'their young. On July 12th., I took an assistant to West Chester and when all was quiet, about 9 P.M., pulled the cord, lowered the box and brought it to the Gardens and by midnight it was back in its former position. At 2 A.M. I pulled the cord again, this 74 2 . time so arranged that it would open instead of close the en- trances to the nests; Instantly there was a volley , no other word will express it, of birds from both sides of the box and strange to say, the direction of flight, as far as I and two men who had been helping me, could see, was, without exception towards ’.Vest Chester. I watched for a while but no more ap- peared, but about daybreak I counted four more as they took flight, these left singly but each one took the same course as all the others. I have often thought over this and believe T if systematic experiments, based on this observation, were made with Martins and other birds something further could be learned in regard to the sense of direction . If it was veri- fied, it appears to me, that nothing but a special sense, and a very keen one at that, could explain it. Mr.Hoopes reported the next day that what he believed to be the old birds were flying about the pole from which the box had been taken and acting in a "distracted manner". No old birds were seen in the Gardens all day and at 7.30 that evening we lowered the box and found that we had nine clutches of young ones, 32 al- together. There was but one thing to do, feed the young by hand. At first it took two men two hours to feed them, for a while they were fed three times and afterwards twice each day. They were in stages of developement from less than half grown to almost ready to fly. The second day some of the old Mar- tins came and continued coming all through the season out seemed always to go away before night and they did not feed the young ones. I put a light rope and pulley attachment to the box so it could be lowered at feeding time, at other times it was kept in position on the pole. We had fair success in rearing the nestlings, the youngest died and some of the older ones were soon strong enough to fly and they promptly di sap- first peared, several got into trouble on their flight so that fi- nally we had four left and then two of these flew away, the remaining two we felt sure were a Male and a Female. They became quite tame, would forage for themselves out for a long time were ready to come at meal times, they made the oox their home but after a while it did not have to be lowered as they would alight on a bush nearby and allow the man who fed them to come near enough for them to eat from a dish he held in his hand, they would at times alight on the dish and even eat from his fingers. At intervals adult birds, sometimes one or two and at other times quite a number would appear and the young pair would fly with them. I give you here my last notes for the season. August 19th. Two old birds came and flew with the young ones for a little while then, at about 8.30 A.M., all four flew away and the young ones did not return until 4.30, each ate six meal worms out of C's hand, first time they have been i so fed for some days. August 20th. Neither bird would come down to C. this morning, they were both flying and feeding with an old one, when C. came. At 8.30 the male one and the old one went away together, the young female was chasing a dragonfly at the time, she caught it, returned to the box and ate it and in about ten minutes followed the others. No more Martins were seen in the Gardens in 1899. Notes made in 1900. March 12th. Hung one Martin box. April 28th C.saw 3 Martins feeding over Lion House shortly before 2.P.M. June 23rd. At 1.15 P.M. 7 or 8 Martins came to the box, in and out, all remained about half an hour then all but two left, these two remaned until 6.45, seemed to be selecting a ft hole, were seen with straws in their bills. June 24th. Martins all day, one pair building. June 25th. C.saw one alight on bush where he fed last year's birds, also on Chestnut tree (a last year's favorite place for some of the young). One pair to-day which remained until 8 P.M. June 26th. One pair until S P.M. June 27th. One pair until 5 P.M. June 28th. I saw one at 7.30 A.M. carry five or six sticks into box in about 20 minutes June 29th. Do not think they stay in the box at night except at nesting time. At 7.30 this evening, the only one I had seen for an hour left and did not return. I believe fe- male has commenced to sit. June 30th. Four to-day. It appears as if only one pair had decided to build. July 1st. Another pair appears to be building on the other side of the box. July 17th. Saw one Martin, after 7 P.M. , make 4 or 5 trips, apparently to gether food, it would remain in hole a- bout a minute and be away from 5 to 15 minutes. Is it feeding young or mate? July 18th. Saw 7 Martins flying and on box at one time, some act as if new to locality. July 28th. 6 possibly S this A.M. August 7th. Saw one young bird at eastern hole and af- terwards on ledge this A.M. Aug. 9th. Saw 2 young ones on platform on east side this A.M. M.says he saw 2 on W. side (doubtful). Aug. 16th. Many Martins on tops of trees about office. C.says he saw them feeding young. Have the young left the box? Aug. 18th. Large number, 30 or more, flying at different heights this P.M. V.says at six P.M. there must have been 100* 6 . Aug. 19 tli. Martins on crosstrees of flagpole, would fly away a moment when touched by halliards but would return at once. This was early this A.M. Are they preparing to migrate Aug. 20th. Saw young birds on box, also two or three old ones flying about box . Aug. 24th. C.saw 2 young birds flying alone over carpen- ter shop. These were the last seen in 1900. In 1901 the birds came and were here more or less during the season, but not in sufficient numbers to make them inde- pendent of the sparrows which had occupied the box and while we thought one pair made a nest and commenced to sit, no young ones were seen. In 1902 a few came but loss than the year before, and last year, 1903, none were seen. The box is still up and we continue to hope the birds will come. If I cduld spare the time, I would try the experiment again and believe with the advantage of the former experience I could raise a much larger number and make it a lasting success. This is the first abstract I have made of this experiment All that has been published, as far as I know, was a very short article in a 7/est Chester paper, from Mr.Hoopes, I think, and a mere item regarding it in one of our city papers. Very truly yours Rob't D. Carson. 27 7 . P.S. In the Spring of 1900 Mr.Josiah Hoopes 1 brother put up two Martin boxes near the original one at their place in West Chester, and I think this was one of the reasons, and probably the principal one, that the experiment was not a complete success . (Copy of a letter loaned by Hr. Charles J.Pennock in January, 1904). r* Some Wonders from the West. LTV. — A MARTIN VILLAGE. and dwells by preference where man has his habitation, rarely being seen far from settle- ments. This fact has led to the custom of supplying him with a home for himself and family. There are few farms that have not a martin house reared for Mr. Martin, and the invitation extended by an unoccupied box is soon accepted. No “ To Let ” sign is necessary ; the mere fact of the house being untenanted is sufficient for the martins, and once domiciled they fight for their homes valiantly, rendering service for the leasehold by protecting the feathered dwellers in the barn-yards from the attacks of thieving hawks. The largest martin village in the United States is one maintained by Mr. Otto Widmann, a few miles from St. Louis, in the State of Missouri. There are eighteen houses in the village proper, and every spring the martins return there. The inevitable spring house-cleaning is no small task, but they work valiantly, putting things to rights and refitting, and then settle down to their Lili- putian housekeeping for the summer months. The houses in the little village are all in a row and face towards the south. In front of A GENERAL VIEW OF THE MARTIN VILLAGE. From a Photo. NE of the best- known birds of temperate North America is the purple martin. He is a bold fellow and follows the first breath of spring north from Cuba and Mexico, where he passes the winter months. Long of wing and swallow- like in form, he is a strong flier and he knows not what fear is. The larger predatory birds are aware of his prowess, and the call of the single martin to the clans is followed by a precipitate retreat on the part of the trespasser. He is of an extremely sociable disposition, From a] a nearer view of some of the martin houses. [ Photo SOME WONDERS FROM THE WEST. 59t each is a comfortable veranda, and the martins sit there in the evenings discussing men and things, gossiping merrily, unmindful of the clatter that ensues from all talking at once. On the outskirts of the village proper are several suburban cottages occupied by martins who arrived too byte to take a town house, but no line is drawn be- tween town and country dwellers. Thecottages on the out- skirts of the village are truly subur- ban, for they are perched up among the branches of the trees that surround the settlement, and the green foliage and the pleasant shade make them delightful habita- tions. When the little martins arrive there are busy times in the village and its suburbs, for they have tremendous appetites, and the families consist of from four to six children each. It is amusing to see the comfort the martins find in their tiny homes. Sometimes the wife will sit in the front door, her head only peeping out, and berate her spouse for some real or fancied neglect until the poor fellow takes flight. Often they sit side by side under the slanting roof, gos- siping with their next-door neigh- bours and chat- tering away noisily, each try- ing to outdo the other. The branches of the trees in the v-i c i n i t y are favourite resting- places for them when they feel disinclined to share the noisy gossip of the vil- lage, and it is amusing to see a couple sitting side by side demurely watch- ing the turmoil, as one of the photographs shows them. Let a dog or cat approach the martins’ village and the uproar is indescrib- able. Even a strange human being creates much of a disturbance; but the birds know the man who built their village and do not re- sen t his visits in the least. When the young birds have grown to maturity their parents send them out upon the world with little preliminary instruction, but they launch forth bravely and are strong winged from the first trial. Not until the second year do the young birds attain the full glory of their plumage. The first is spent in sombre, dull black, that makes them look vastly different from their elders, but the next summer finds them clothed in purple and resplendent. Beyond doubt many of the martins have dwelt in the tiny village from the time of its founding, eight years ago. Some of them are so marked that it is easy for a bird- lover to identify them, and year after year they come back to the spot that is their home and that was built for their pleasure. When the win- ter winds wisp the snow through the open doors and pile it up into little drifts on the porches, the feathered villagers, far to the south, are re- velling in the suns of Cuba or Mexico, thinking perhaps of their little cottages swaying in the winter winds far to the north. From a] “under the slanting roof.” [ Fhoto . From a] “ watching the turmoil.” [Photo. The Strand Magazine, June, .1905. n Birds of Upper St, John. B&toiieider, 35- Progne subis {Linn.) Bd. Purple Martin.— Common, breed- ing in martin-houses at Fort Fairfield. This bird seems to be generally distributed throughout eastern Maine and the adjoining parts of New Brunswick, where there are settlements. While on our way to Fort Fair- field we noticed it at a number of places between Bangor and Woodstock, N. B., as well as at various points along the St. John River between Fredericton. N. B., and Fort Fairfield. It is also common at Houlton. BuU. N.O.Q, 7, April, 1882, p .110 Last Dates MigratoryBirds observed^* E. D. Wintle, Fall 1885, Montreal, Can. 16, Purple Martin. O.&O. XI, Mar. 1886. p. tyt/ Nesting Habits of Texas Bii ds. H. P. Atwater, London, Ontario, Can, Purple Martin, {Progne subis). Breed in martin boxes at the ranches. First eggs taken May 17th, 1884. O.&O. XII. July 1867 p .IQS'. II, finely r 225. Progne subis. Purple Mar TI n.- Regular summer resident, local and decreasing, April 18 to August 25; breeds (June 7, 1890). SummerBesldents on Southwest CSoast of Maine, T.H, Montgomery, Jt\ 611. Purple Martin. Saw about a dozen at Camden, Aug. 3d. QjmdQ, I&J fflov a W90< P,1Q2 I have never seen any suggestion of Martins (Progne subis) being night birds, but a few years ago, about ten o’clock of a bright moonlight night in August — my note-book says August 8 — I was resting in a hammock outdoors, when I heard the calls of Martins. A few minutes later my husband coming up the walk said, “ Did you hear that ?” “ Hear what ? ” I asked evasively. “ Well, I heard Martins if I ever heard them 1 ” he replied, “and, more- over, I saw them. I looked up quickly and there were some flying across the face of the moon.” June 15, 1900, Mr. Bates, walking home from a train that reached Water- ville between two and three in the morning, without having a thought of Swallows, suddenly heard them in the air above. Again it was bright moonlight. T 2 - 1 & zZZo ' VVc^-A. vdjUjL t 'Tin. A t— . Auk, XVIII, Oct., 1901, p Bir4« •ba. at M aulto: 1 bor o , N . H . July2i-Aug. 11, 1883. F.H. Allen Progne subis. — Common. Auk, VI. Ja*., 18*9. p. 78 Birds Obs. at Bridgewater, N.H Julyia-Sa*t. 4, 1883. F.H. Allen Progne subis. — A few seen. Auk, VI. Jan. , 1889. p. 77 Birds Ob-vA - ear Holdernese, N.H June 4-12, ’85, and 4-11, *86, W. Faxon 38. Progne subis. Purple Martin. — Common. Auk, V. April, 1888. p.160 •ae. and I™. >»< Auk, V. April, 1888. p. I52 Birds of Hillsboro Co. N.H. June 27, *92 Arthur M. Farmer, Amoskeag, N . H. Purple Martin, several were observed fly- ing about during the rains. 0.&OVoL17, 8epi.Xbw2 P.136 ^7 /fru 4r ^ ^ " ^7 To^m /U^ y/^ mW 4 UJuZ^L A ZZ, ~~ V <*j*. =«7^ *'~ "“" V* J. Ch^.' e~f* ^ *~A ^ . • • ZC **A ' / ^~7' __ iU ^ C ^7 . , ±r o. t-r-W a***/-.?. "£*=;, — *~ L+UaAJ >WV-^ / — ^ j> ^ ^ , v^soU. . /atX V „ > _ TSC O^cu^ *4+, & ^ t 'V- ~~ ,r ^ tyz^u *j r 7~TZ* 7^t » A A £*S^M* ^*~Ui Cf ^' Purple Martin, (Progne subis). Bare Sum- mer resident, quite local. Arrives May 1 to 8. Breeds, nesting in boxes made for their use. (Q. O.&O. X. May. 188 -'i.n, yi Mortality of Purple Martins ( Progne purpurea ) at Brattleboro, Vt. — During the long rain in June, 1903, the nests in the bird house belonging to William C. Horton of Brattleboro, Vt., became completely watersoaked, and thirtv young and two adult Purple Martins were found dead in their nests. The remaining members of the martin colony abandoned the house, leaving twelve eggs unhatched. Occasionally a few return and fly about as if trying to catch a glimpse of the inside of their home but none have ventured to enter up to this date (July 17). Frances B. Horton, Brattleboro , Vt. A.Ttk, XX, Oct,, . 1903 , p • l t i t i tJT1 3f etoa &’ Kutland, Mas^ Aug-. 2-J&S5 ' / * AttX IKTA*^ . *?/**-*- Tkfaw. (near Concord ). 1887 JU~ *±-1 U. Jo^ jy^.lo-.X V*lb:y_H’-.3li 0«j. i l , /2\\AlU<^. 17 1 ^*-77. ( <-^ • <4446^. ^^5X**<- <" i « £i*nz/'£ox+) ^ycA^cZ~ X . ihrO ^ 4 ^V*. J*;- a score of Purple Martins.,, They were the last seen of UwSJe species. O.&O. XL Jan. 1886. p.£ Birds of Bristol County, Mass. F. W. Andros. Progne subis (Linn.), Purple Martin. Sum- | mer resident, common. Breeds. Fall Migration, Bristol County (Mass. 1 885. Charles H. Andros. Sept. 9 ; strong southerly wind. Great numbers of Purple Martins passed over, taking a southerly direction. The flight was quite steady for as much as forty-five minutes. O.&O. XI. Jan. 1886. p./ Fall Migration, Brist*10ounty,Mass- 1885. Charles H. Andros. Ccc^-. ■2AjPurple Martins are commencing to flock. O.&O. XI. Jan. 1886, p. / ids Known to Pass Breeding Season ! Winohendon, Mass. Wm, Brewster ©•&0. XII, Sept. 1887 p. 140 Progne subis. Auk. V, Oct., 1888. p.389 What has happened to the Martins ? — Last summer the Martins ( Progne subis) were suddenly either destroyed or driven away from their boxes in this town where for many years they have been domiciled. I watched interestedly for their arrival this spring, and was delighted on May 8, 1904, to see one about their old homes ; but my delight has been ■■short-lived, as the one lone bird disappeared and no others have come- Does it mean that the largest Concord colony I know of, where for many years at least fifteen pairs have nested, is wiped out? I would like to know if other New England towns have so mysteriously lost their Mar- tins. — Reginald Heber Howe. Tr., Concord, Mass. Auk 1 XI, Inly, 1904, p. 327 . Connecticut,. June, 1,8^3 ; 4m4xA ~t~" L, 4 l# . / „ 7- 10* //-V* ^ ^ $%*).. f'Mj, i/u^o *4~ / ^ /l ' ^-t4v yfc r /i*7 t/ a* - ; V a- w4'i TXv J7 ••£■< i'<->j^< cui2Z\* t\f\f yC-<. II / . 77.: ‘S'TA'L- ' / ** /Wi: ./•. aa ,.. a, y 4 Xst<^r, <^Oyftxi ^uTy /’A-W "2£Cv 2-tj, -^uaj 07 ^ 7 'Vj '-^■'• v ’i^'0 l >- y '— ^Cy ^ Wu The Tagging of Nesting Birds. — The plan introduced by Dr. Leon J. Cole of New Haven, Conn., for the marking of birds, both old and young, should prove in time of much value by its help in solving some of the prob- lems connected with their migratory movements, and for that reason we may wish it a success. My experience, however, in the tagging of young Martins, as I regret to say, has not proved altogether successful. For example, a brood tagged July 26 was found to have left the chamber safely, but not so the remain- ing members of another brood similarly marked two days later. On August 12 the remains of this bird were found just outside the chamber on the martin-house platform, some of the nesting material it seems having become attached to the aluminum band on the bird’s right leg, holding it fast and thus causing it to perish after being abandoned to its fate by the older birds. Unfortunately my attention had been drawn elsewhere soon after the marking, otherwise this tragedy might have been prevented. But this incident serves to show that some caution will have to be exer- cised in the marking of the young; and, in the writer’s opinion, it may be necessary for us to confine our work to the larger and jnore powerful birds. For obvious reasons such birds as the Vireos, and particularly the Orioles and various members of the family Parida;, should be stricken from the list, in fact, any of the birds where a similar mishap is likely to occur. A tag might be devised, however, which would remedy all this and allow us to proceed with the original plan, but nothing thus far has pre- sented itself to my mind. Others perhaps may have met with a similar experience.— Benj. T. Gault, Glen Ellyn, III. 7*CX V7V, / (9, fz i?2.' Binds of the Adirondack Region. C.H,Merriain. 48. Progne subis ( Linn .) Baird. Purple Martin. — Breeds in “Mar- tin houses ” in the villages that lie within the limits of the Adirondack region. Buli. N.O.O, 3, Oct, 1882, p,229 Oj&Qt XV, jQne, 1890, p.gsa Birds of Oneida County, New ToTk. Egbert Bagg. Progne subis. — Given as “A not uncommon summer resident. Breeds.” Has practically disappeared; within the last few years an occasional migrant is all that has been seen. Auk XI. April. 1894 p. 104 1881, p, /3 . }/ Jc /Yi JltuJ / eld. . 19. Progne subis. Purple Martin. — “Rarely seen,” etc. Breeds at Oneida and seems to be holding its own against the English Sparrows. I took a set of 4 eggs from an electric arc lamp at Oneida, July 12, 1895. • Auk, XX, July, iuOS, p . %6S~ Decrease of Purple Martinson Long Island, N. Y. — Seeing a note on Purple Martins in Concord, Mass., a short time ago in ‘The Auk,’ I thought the following might possibly be of some interest, dhree sum- mers ago, Purple Martins (Progne subis) were very common at Quogue, L. I., and bred in boxes erected for their occupation. The summer of 1903 they had decreased in number, and last summer they had disappeared apparently from the locality. I am afraid English Sparrows took posses- sion of their boxes. The summer of 1903, I killed a Black-breasted Plover ( Squatarola squatarola ) on July I, as recorded in ‘The Auk’ (XXI, p. 79). Last sum- mer I saw one on July 6, with a very black breast, but unfortunately missed him. Snipe and Plover were exceedingly rare all last summer. — F. W. Kobbe, Ne-w York Cit_ Auk, ixil, Apr,, 1905, P LircU of W*«hi*firtom Co. Oregon. A. W. Anthony. 86. Progne subis. Purple Martin.— O ne seen in May. Amk, 3, April, 1886. p.l6<^ H, AiJLb^- )j'l V\- M Zjc[A/b CO jj-SOuA /AA/\vwy/vvoC /W\, c/ 1 3 k (9 S'— GJb-ausI* f~6' frTks^ctsyjua^ $ WH4 rU^UAw/vvq jSVFyu^ ^o^utryk lArintd Jd^yuL /Lk, y 6^0 5 ivLjtjjzd CKJi-v , J Wsvfec-icfc, axe, c ^ a 7 ; r «o- /0 H^ul L bnxelo) ^xaxJLxA^ 'via. a/ 6isjx.0 -Q AfCO 0 tH O S. !*> C v c C c pq o *0 *“• a .2 & o O O ® xi Ps 9 ? til, /3 . //, _ . . - BIRDS BUILDING THEIR NESTS. Tlio Martins wore busy conveying light layers of pine bark to the nesting places which I had provided for them. These agile birds fasten themselves after the manner of Woodpeckers to the towering boles of the pine, and with their bills detach bits of bark thin as letter paper. Out of this bark they construct the foundation and major portion of the body of their nests. The Martins are building earlier this spring than usual. Indeed they arrived two weeks earlier than I ever saw them before — the first (a male) reaching here the 12tli of February. About two feet distant from a pair of Mar- tins is an English Sparrow’s nest; yet the birds do not annoy one another. Apropos of this subject: Last year a little Martin house con- taining four rooms, each facing a different point of the compass, had three of its rooms occupied by Martins, and the fourth one by a pair of English Sparrows, all rearing broods at the same time; still there was no manifest con- tention among the birds. Not two rods from the. Martin’s quarters, suspended from the branch, of an Oak is a gourd in which is a snug nest built by a„ pair of Bluebirds. /' ( o S’, ‘isau SJM.Q patLioq-;Baa:r) j S .nj Am sum. qoug •auo.iqj s .811131 Ann joj ‘jsau sjmq jeqj Aq Assom PI o no qtas Am peifiinqoxe 9Auq ? on ppioM j -uoipqpxa jo sStiqaaj Am a8m8 B mi uvo spug aqq 9pBm 9ABI[ otjAV Ajuo asoqj, - XO q uoipapoo Am UI paAtojs Apjus s 88a qsajj pav epi[A ' oav^ jo jas aqj puq j emij sjaaniom avoj v hi pirn Asea sum. SuiqmzjQ -9a.ij 0 qj 0:} jg u? -oS ui araij qotim 9S0[ jou pip j -A . IaA00 -sip siq ppj aq amoq 8tqraoo uq -sai^o Suurqa jnajS jo orad v Aq papmimiqp pneq asnoUTTITT lit! 3371 am TO TTOnora am m'.S,,,, MsJM k'ftwwsn ■ farT'" P*4- On _f_ ' J}*vUh“ Qict. AVtf ^U-44r¥VCA.CVt L*. H \ 2yft (A-UL^Jx A./ '1 ^ y f tlhi , Ow ’m* /'MY. /fi L ^ s~. s. / x ^ - A- X . (Pad . / sjfo f 3—^ 914. How Young Birds Are fed. By O. Widmann. Ibid., p. 484. — Minute observations on the feeding of young Purple Martins ( Progne subis) by their parents. For . Stream XXII 943- Where the [. Pur t le\ ] Martin, Roost. By O. Widmann. Ibid Oct .,p. 183. -Many thousands, late in August, roost in the willows below s l Loins, Mo. l'he article forms a very interesting chapter in this - J>Ifd s history, hithertqjmwritterj. If©?, $1 Stream. XXIII ByH 3 NefrHn ”** B “™’ ^ le Mariin ^ ■ N „. ,, iass , w . n 1 j- ~a >0 -cs AiCO 0TS *4 o z .fs C5 « a 1 §! £ W § « 1 J S a to M ci o to 41 E-i 9 ? Li/, id . //. .. . . BIJIDS BUILDING TIIEIR NESTS. The Martin^ wore busy conveying light layers of pine bark to the nesting places which I had provided for them. These agile birds fasten themselves after the manner of Woodpeckers to the towering boles of the pine, and with their bills detach bits of bark thin as letter paper. Out of this bark they construct the foundation and major portion of the body of tlieir nests. The Martins are building earlier this spring than usual. Indeed they arrived two weeks earlier than I ever saw them before — the first (a male) reaching here the 12th of February. About two feet distant from a pair of Mar- tins is an English Sparrow’s nest; yet the birds do not annoy one another. Apropos of this subject: Last year a little Martin house con- taining four rooms, each facing a different point of the compass, had three of its rooms occupied by Martins, and the fourth .one by a pair of English Sparrows, all rearing broods at the same time; still there was no manifest con- tention among the birds. Not two rods from the. Martin’s quarters, suspended from the branch, of an Oak is a ‘iseii s jaiq pamoif-^ojr) j S jij Am sum. qong aao.iqj sSurq Ato joj ‘jsan sjmq juqj Aq 99 JI assohi PI o juqg no fees Am paStraqoxa 9Auq )on ppiOAi j •tioipiqiixa jo sSnqaoj aSuiSemr too spuq aqq apmn o A nq oqM Apio asoqj -xoq uoijoaqoo Am hi Abavu peAtojs £j 9 jbb sSSz qsaij pun aqq.w oja) jo jas aqj pnq j ami; squamom moj v ui P to Asna sum. 3 mqmq 0 -99^ 0q . ; 0; jg ar oS a ? 9ra ^ T t onra a so[ joa pip j -AJ9AO0 -sip siq pjoj aq arnoq Smmoo iiq saAe Suun ? s }wu8 jo -rod « Aq pajtnnmiqq p TO q oSTiarrrmr nr! am n am to rrmora am gourd in which is pair of Bluebirds. snug nest built by 2,4, JuIsUSSS*. (0% , JU-LA yzr/ N ^L, a. 27 . ^ 4 fauut % Crv - V 4 0 / ^^6- — & . X • f S~£> 914. How Young Birds Are fed. By O. Widmann. Ibid., p. 484. — Minute observations on the feeding of young Purple Martins (Progne subis ) by their parents. For, & Stream » XXJI oct 43 2 f’Z e m [J 3 u f e] M r tins RoosL % °- widm -»’- md., Uct ' 2, P- I ° 3 - Many thousands, late in August, roost in the „:n bdow St Louis, Mo. The article forms a very interesting chapter in this" md s histoiy, hitherto unwritten. For, & StrseHQ, XXIII Bv^M f V Pur *" rschvjalbe (Prague subis Baird, Purple Martin) . yH. Nehrhng. Der Zoologische Garten, Jahrg. XXVI No i ,88c nn 22-27 — History of the species. g aavi, No. i, 1885, pp. I ^ ^ d 2 £ fts cq Destruction of Birds by Cold. The past three weeks have been very wet and cold, with frost three times and snow once. May 31, in the morning, there was about two inches of snow, and still snowing, and changed to cold rain about 10 o’clock and rained all day. Saturday morning cold and cloudy, and the thermometer very near the freezing point. At a friend’s place where I go fishing, etc., there were about one hundred pairs of Martin s and Tree Swallows breeding, and on Satur- day morning they were nearly all dead; the children showed me many of them. My friend says he took seven dead Martins in one box, nine under another. Other boxes, not easy to get at, were full of dead ones, and they could be seen partly out of the holes. He told me that at a railroad bridge, near Chester, he could have picked up a bushel basket of dead Cliff Swallows. He goes after his mail in a boat about three miles, and on that morning he saw two Least Bitterns dead by their nests, picked up young ducks so cold they could not swim, which died in the boat before he got home. The children brought me a Least Bittern j that they found sitting on a boat so cold it could not fly, which they warmed and fed. It was too soiled for skinning so I let it go; it ran ! off to the marsh. May 24, I got two Hudsonian Godwits here, and saw a White Pelican. June 7, I got a Black Tern that is white un- der around the neck and from the bill to nearly even with the eyes. The back and top of the head the usual color of the back. There is no other Tern that will answer that description, is there? That makes the eighth specimen that is white and partly white, all collected by my- self or for mo, I have in my collection. Velas Hatch. Oak Centre, Wis. O &Q. XIV. Aug. 1889 p. 122 Progne subis. — Mr. A. H. Kirkland, late entomologist to the Massachu- setts State Board of Agriculture, informs me that while observing the rav- ages of the fire-worm ( Rhopobota vacciniana Pack.) in the cranberry bogs of Plymouth and Barnstable counties, he found the Purple Martins feeding freely on the imagos of the pest. The Martins were abundant at many of the bogs, a Martin box on a pole being, according to Mr. Kirkland, “ap- parently as much a necessary adjunct to a well-regulated bog as a dyke or a cranberry house.” As two broods of the imagos of the fire-worm are on the wing during the summer, and as the female imagos are most active before laying their eggs, the benefits accruing to the cranberry grower from the presence of the Martins are obvious. Mr. Kirkland states that the cranberry growers estimate that in a term of years they lose fifty per cent of their crops because of the damage done by injurious insects, chief among which is the fire-worm. Auk, XVIII, Oct., i.90iV'p~: 35£ ‘Revival of the Sexual Passion in Birds in Autumn.’ — In addition to the notes.of Messrs. Brewster and Chapman which have lately appeared in ‘ The Auk’ on the above subject the following observations may be of interest. From my Journal for September 2, 1898, Jamestown, R. I., I copy the following: — “This morning a number of Purple Martins (Pro erne sub is ) were seen alighting on the rigging of the small boats anchored in the harbor, they being not uncommon here early in Sep- tember; later in the morning they were in good numbers (15 or 20 birds) along the roadsides in company with the Tree Swallows. The Martins almost always alighted on the cross bars of the telegraph poles, rather than with the Swallows on th§ wires. While I was watching two birds, supposedly young, they were seen a number of times to go through the actions of copulation.” Another record was made on September 15, 1898. — “While sitting in the blind (Jamestown, R. I., Round Marsh) a Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus) came and lit near by and performed some interesting antics. The bird would now and then utter a few hurried notes, run a few feet and jump excitedly into the air. The bird also from time to time (five times) went through the actions of copulation on a little, cropped off tussock of grass about the size of its body. I was within a few feet of the bird, being protected by the blind, and am posi- tive that its actions were those of copulation. Possibly this bird was mentally deranged. I took the bird and found it to be a young male, its sexual organs of normal size for that time of season. Two interesting questions present themselves. Is the accompaning non-enlargement of their sexual glands due to their being still non-functional, or is the pas- sion caused by simple sensory, nervous excitement ? Is the autumn song period, of some species, correlated with this passion ? 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Cliff Swallow. Abundant at Booth- !bay. I found several houses, the eaves of which were lined by their mud nests. In the ! first week of July several of the nests con- tained young, nearly fledged. GbandO, 15, Nov, 1 890, p,162 Birda Oba. at Bridgewater, N.H Julyl2-B*pt. 4, 1883. F. H. Allen Petrochelidon lunifrons.— One colony seen. Auk, VI. Jan., 1889. p. 77 Birds Obsvd. near Holderness, N.H oune 4-12, ’85, and4-li, '80, W. Faxon 39. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Cliff Swallow. — Common. Auk, V. April, 1888. p.150 Bds. Obs. atFranconia and Bethlehem N.H. July-August, 1874. J, A. Allen 31. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Abundant. Auk, V. April, 1888. p.164 . _ aa Rye Beach, n. H. - /$ Rye Beach, N.H. .1868. . -fudLf Rye Beach, N.H. 1871. 1873. ///. 1804 . •J L Breezy Point, Warren, N.H. , ‘^Jy v* ■ /ic. ■~'j v^ltA-wiXi to/ a/vUwv it. n . h i iy ay is - 1 £y - Idr. ttj'l 3c$ Breezy Point, Warren, N.H. 1895 . ■ f tsiyUfc/tu-i*- cAm~-a- Z9- .1/49 ***£, » '/a . 3/if x :■* t* ■■> •"■/" // *' t+ u /....A erJnrv- H d - ' /um 7 $ Mass. ( near Co?icord'). 1887 ju~j Xfr- jJ . L z.7Klh. J ^ Cu^. IS v W. Middlesex Co. Maea^ June 25-30, 1880. {f^ JuZ^fr<^h~*~CjL oUr^ fr under the |||l^n2e£d-- A colony of about twelve pairs nesting . • r a barn about two rni.2 es west or tuo tri i 1 „ others observed anywhere in the region. h v llage * None Fall Migration, Bristol County , Mass. 1885. Charles H. Andros. great numbers of Cliff Swallows are passing over, taking a south-easterly tlireelion. O.&O. XI. Jan. 1886. p./ Birds of Bristol County, Mass. F . W. Andros. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say.), Cliff Swallow. Summer resident, locally common. Breeds. O.& O. XII. Sept. 1887 p. 14p Pali Migration, Bristol County, Mvsa. 1885. Charles H. Andros . 4 Sept. 6; saw to-day an immense Hock of Cliff Swallows flying in a southerly direction. They were the last seen. O.&O. XI. Jan. 1886. p. / Birds Known to Pass BreeHtno- a nr. Winchendon. Mac Tir ^ e ^ chendon, Maes. Wm' Brewst iep 50. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Auk, V, Oct,, 1888. p.380 Bda. Oha. near Sheffield. Berkshire Oy, Maas. June 17-28, ’88. W. Taxon 4 6. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Eave SwALLOW.-Common. Auk, VI. Jan. , 188©. P- 45 Bda. Jbs. near Graylock Mt Berkshire Co. Mass. June 28 -July 16. W. Faxon 41. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Eave Swallow.— Common. Accord- ing to Dr. Emmons, this bird first appeared in Williamstown in 1825.* * Amer. Jour. Sci. and Arts, XXVI, 208, 1834. Auk, VI. April, 1889. p.102 r- - , A. - /,..., 7t,h /. Mass. 1885. 1 /f Afs: t /2t / 7 ~ Zlf^ 0 h . L fair^uth. Mass. 1889. t yvA - Uj^- °* ,Ar ^» rr j 6 >— ^ < 5 oa-^. ^ l ^ > '^' / $^JL/ — t*-*- 4 A^ j r xSZ. ruaz~ wLl <***--, ->- ^ ' u, *- jA k tr~ , ^ ^ ^ ^ irt^- ~ 75 , _ ^ A~, /-•■V.^- T , T 1 a*— 1 Jc*-~W t O*- *'«f>- ^ ft— _ — j r~~~T3 i y^- Kj ~ JX X 'P.y+il^-^ K~W u ^ k— / * i W-^Vs . ----- U>X^ A flX^TCA. ^ ^ _ 1 7 cca '/o ‘^''^ 7 $ __ — i — /v. ok*' - 4 ^L\ ^Ca AAy^ t>U^ °~ . /V"/ fvrJy ^ ^ C A f 7 2 - GL fl*srV ?X/^- ^* 7 v ifv* rA/C 'A.^. lu l/ f r*-J> ■ -jr-^*A- 1 . AW o- , ■ «-r-A. v ^ ^A-v~ p Ajs -*-* — 1 ^'Z,-' t( - *-r^ i _ W ‘ -J t ~~' 'l^y^'n , '~f l Va- • />Aaj »A>. . c GJLJZ-^'V i'U ,*.l f^ 4 h^~- ^ ^ ^ ■ ^ 4- ££- £W-«kwe4. ^*-w. w '^~ ___ / ~T* / AJ> . ^Ca,jK~> <*A~t ttej^F ^tfv.'-’V t*: . . (rn^A- ^ ^......, X. . i C-V"'-W 'tAX^Xw/ , nJc^a.^ ^ / ^^VAf’vv trhw^ <**'*'* ® ^ ; / jy ‘ to~». «j ^~7. ,U*X wnr u, w. / t£X cJUj*^-**-* J? A*^7 ' ‘'X. ^.,( ^ " '• _, tl l --. A -.^ WrO. C+A**» U^-^SL fw 0 V / -v. t^A-^cClA- ^' B -' < -'*-*— t/ JC*^. /?^ ZAx 4***z*. ' ^ ^U— -* - — *^ZZ^ ^^v. ^^14^. &Aa &X ^ fyZ^t J^jtZLfZ^C^t e-^Ay ZZZ^> ^ zr~£e- C Uu*JiUz&z3. ^ ^ {L^ O nests eyed us curiously for a few seconds, cv i-< v» and then with a musical “ tweet” flew out. A ¥ ipp e c p es (; nn ^ patch on the forehead of the £ g Cliff Swallow is very noticeable as their ? kS heads protrude from the “ nose” of their g bottle-shaped mud nests. £ N The swallows find a protector in the V S person of Mr. Ezri Reynolds, who warmly ^ appreciates the honor which they confer 1 upon him by returning every spring to his ^ barn, and to his alone. As they rear two ^ broods a season and feed their young upon insects, the number destroyed by them must be incalculable. Any person mo- lesting the swallows in any way would be apt to arouse the ire of the kind hearted farmer, who rightly considers them his friends. IZZ Notes on the Habits of the Cliff Swallow ( Petrochelidon luni- frons). — Within my collecting grounds is a locality where numbers of these birds have nested for many years. This is a shed, open only on one side, where the birds have attached their nests to the sleepers of the loft. In the spring of 1878 they returned about the usual time and soon began repairing old nests or constructing new ones. One day, while watching them, I noticed one bird remained in her half-finished nest, and did not appear to be much engaged. Soon a neighbor, owning a nest a few feet away, arrived with a fresh pellet of clay and, adjusting it in a satis- factory manner, flew away for more. No sooner was she out of sight than the quiet bird repaired to the neighbor’s nest, appropriated the fresh clay and moulded it to her own nest! When the plundered bird returned, no notice was taken of the theft, which was repeated as soon as she was again out of sight. I saw these movements repeated numerous times, but was called away, and when I again returned both nests were completed. In the same place a nest remained undisturbed, and was occupied bv probably the same pair of birds for several seasons. This spring they returned to the old nest, and all appeared prosperous, until one day I noticed a number of Swallows engaged in walling up the entrance of this old nest. This, and the outline of a new nest over the old, was soon com- pleted. I then broke open the closed nest and found within the dead body of a Swallow. This bird had probably died a natural death, and the friends being unable to lemove the body, and knowing it would soon become offensive, adopted this method of sealing it up. — F. H. Knowlton, Brandon, Vt. Bull. N.O.O, 0 , Jan,, 1881, p, Cliff Swallow, ( Petrochelidon luni- frons.) May 26tli I visited a “colony” of Cliff Swallows, accompanied by my friend George H. Jennings, M. I)., who is an en- thusiastic ornithological student. About one mile from Griswold P. 0., there is a barn that has for several years t attracted large numbers of these swallows. 'V'- Their nests are placed under the barn, up- on the sides of the chestnut timbers that support the floor, and are composed of mud which the birds bring from a swamp near by. r As the Doctor and I stepped under the barn the occupants of the forty-seven > O nests eyed us curiously for a few seconds, tA. w 5 S and then with a musical “ tweet” flew out. The chestnut patch on the forehead of the Cliff Swallow is very noticeable as their heads protrude from the “ nose” of their bottle-shaped mud nests. N The swallows find a protector in the person of Mr. Ezri Reynolds, who warmly appreciates the honor which they confer upon him by returning every spring to his barn, and to his alone. As they rear two broods a season and feed their young upon insects, the number destroyed by them must be incalculable. Any person mo- lesting the swallows in any way would be apt to arouse the ire of the kind hearted farmer, who rightly considers them his friends. HZ Double Set of Cliff Swallow’s Eggs. Being in need of a few sets of Cliff Swallow’s eggs ( Petrochelidon lunifrons) I started with a friend of mine, one evening in the early part of June, 1888, for a colony where I had previously obtained their eggs. 108 ORNITfr The Cliff Swallow is not known to breed in the southern portion of its United States range. Nests south of the par- allel of 38° are very rare. The following note from Waverly, Miss., 33 34 , is therefore the more interesting : On April 10, a pair of these Swallows appeared and soon commenced house-building. Two broods were raised and the nest, which was a great curiosity in that country, is still pre- served. Had one seen the thousands and thousands of these Swallows, which one evening in the last of July were nesting on a marsh near Red Rock, Indian Terri- tory, he would have been tempted to be- lieve that Prof. Aughey’s two thousand nests had emptied their entire contents on this particular place. We found the colony much larger than when ! I last visited it, and most of the sets were fresh and complete. After taking several sets of five and six eggs, I put my hand in a nest which seemed to be literally full of eggs, and I thought at once of the dreams I had had of taking phenomenally large sets of eggs. The nest was in a difficult position to get at, and the eggs could only be taken out one at a time. I counted them up to eight to myself and that was too much, so I counted out aloud “9, 10, 11,” which cleaned out the nest. It had got too dark to examine them, so packing them up carefully wo started for home. Upon examining them wo could see at once that they were laid by two birds, as six of the eggs wore much larger than the other five, and much more heavily marked, and it was further proved upon attempting to blow them. In the six eggs the incubation was nearly completed, while in the five eggs, two of them were fresh, and in the other three incubation had com- menced, showing that this set had been sat upon from the time the first one was laid. C. K Hoyle. W. Millbury, Mass. O &Q. XlV^Jaine. 1889 p. 88-80 Cliff Swallow, ( Petrochelidon lunifrons). Abundant Summer resident. Arrives from May 3 to 8. Breeds, nests beneath the eaves of barns. It is no uncommon thing to see a hundred or more of the gourd-shaped mud nests of this spe- cies beneath the eaves of one barn. The nests are repaired and used for many years m succes- sion if not disturbed. A few ignorant farmers destroy them as they do not want the Swallows around their barns, but usually they aie pio- tected. This species associates closely with the preceding, being equally industrious and social, and much more abundant. For a few weeks be- fore their departure for the South, large numbers of Barn and Cliff Swallows frequently alight upon the telegraph and telephone wires, especially dur- ing damp and rainy weather, hundreds of them often being on the wire at_o£ce. ( — O.&O. X. May. 1885 . 0 .;/ T S77- 1 ipliff Swallow Nesting in December. By H. D. Moore, M.D. ibid. , p. 104. For, & Stream, Vol c 34 2003. Changing' Habits in the Nesting of Birds. By L. T. Meyer. Ibid., Vol. II, No. 2, Sept., 1S86, p. 17. — Chcetura pelagica, Passer do- mesticus , Pet rochelidon lunifrons, Sitta carolinensis , Si alia sialis. Bcssier K staralietR Birds of Ventura Co., California. B. W. ETermann. 154. * Petrochelidon lunifrons. (612.) Cliff Swallow. — An abundant summer resident. In 1881, a colony of more than a hundred pairs nested in a shed in Santa Paula. The nests were fastened to the rafters, much after the manner of the Barn Swallow. Many horse-hairs were plastered into the nests and these often caused the death of the builders. I took from this shed some six or eight dead birds which I found hanging about the nests, th'ey having gotten entangled in the haips. Amk, 3, April, 1886. p. 183 BULLETIN OP THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. Vol. III. JULY, 1878. No. 3. THE EAYE, CLIFF, OR CRESCENT SWALLOW (. PETROCHEL - IDON LUNIFRONS).* BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U. S. A. DiscovERY of this notable Swallow, commonly attributed to Say, was made long before Long’s expedition to the Rocky Mountains, though the species was first named in the book which treats of that interesting journey. The bird may have been discovered by the celebrated John Reinhold Forster ; at any rate, the earliest note I have in hand respecting the Cliff Swallow is Forster’s, dating 1772, when this naturalist published in the Philosophical Transactions “ An Account of the Birds sent from Hudson’s Bay ; with Observa- tions relative to their Natural History ; and Latin Descriptions of some of the most Uncommon,” — a rather noted paper, in which seven new species, viz., Falco spadiceus, Strix nebulosa, Emheriza [i. e. Zonotrichia\ leucophrys, Fringilla [i. e. Junco\ hudsonias, Mus- cicapa [i. e. Dendrceca\ striata, Parus hudsonicus, and Scolopax [i. e. Numenias~\ borealis, are described, with references to various other new birds by number, such as “ Turdus No. 22,” which is Scoleco- phagus ferrugineus, and “ Hirundo No. 35,” which is Petrochelidon lunifrons. The next observer — in fact, a rediscoverer — was, perhaps, Audubon, who says that he saw Republican or Cliff Swal- lows for the first time in 1815 at Henderson, on the Ohio; that he drew up a description at the time, naming the species Hirundo re- publicana [sic] ; and that he again saw the same bird in 1819 at Newport, Ky., where they usually appeared about the 10th of * By permission, from advance sheets of the “ Birds of the Colorado Valley,” Vol. I. VOL. III. 8 39 2 Chapman, A Hybrid Swallow. TAuk LOct. A HYBRID BETWEEN THE CLIFF AND TREE SWALLOWS. BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN. The American Museum of Natural History has recently acquired from the collector what seems to be a hybrid between Petrochelidon lunifrons and Tachycineta bicolor. The specimen (No. 78,119 Springfield, Mass., Aug. 20, 1902, Leon C. Holcomb) is apparently a bird of the year and, in addition to presenting evidences of hybridism, exhibits also albinistic characters, though it is possible the latter may be a result of hybridity. Generally speaking this specimen resembles bicolor below and lunifrons above, the rusty and buff markings of the last named species, however, being, in this supposed hybrid, white. A more definite understanding of this interesting bird’s color and markings may be gathered from the appended comparative tables : Form. T. bicolor. $ im. Hybrid. $ im. P. lunifrons. $ im. Bill. Medium ; width at nos- tril 4.5 mm. Nostril el- liptical; a well-developed operculum. Medium ; width at nostril 4.5 mm. Nos- tril circular; a well- developed operculum. Rather heavy and broad; width at nostril 6.3 m. Nostril circular ; no operculum. Long, 1 18 mm. Wing. Short, 103 mm. Medium, 105 mm. Tail. Medium, 50 mm.; fork, 9 mm. deep. Short, 40 mm.; fork, 4 mm. deep. Medium, 45 mm.; fork, 2 mm. deep. Feet. Slender, tarsus 11 mm.; middle-toe, 11 mm.; nail, 4 mm. Medium, tarsus, 11 mm.; middle-toe, 11 mm.; nail, 3 mm. Rather stout, tarsus, 11 mm.; middle-toe, n mm.; nail, 5 mm. Vol. XIX1 1902 J Chapman, A Hybrid Svjcillo~d>. 393 T. bicolor. $ im. White, sides of breast dusky sometimes form- ing a faint breast band. Dusky, bend of wing whitish. White. Color. Hybrid. $ im. Under parts. White, a well-defined dusky breast band ; left side of throat and abdomen washed with yellow. Under wing-coverts. White, bend of wing partly yellow. Under tail-coverts. White. P. lunifrons. $ im. Throat dusky black more or less mixed with cinnamon and, usually, whitish ; breast and sides dusky washed with rufous. Dusky washed with rufous or cinnamon. Mixed dusky and ru- fous or cinnamon. Upper parts. Uniform dusky slate or Forehead white, afaint Forehead cinnamon, grayish brown. yellowish tinge ; pil- usually mixed with eum sooty black with dusky and sometimes slight steel-blue refiec- white; pileum dusky tions; a well marked black with slight steel- nuchal collar white blue reflections; nuchal faintly tinged with collar grayish brown, dusky and yellow ; back somewhat paler back like pileum the than pileum, tipped with feathers basally white; buffy, rump ochrace- rump white, slightly ous buff, tinged with yellow an- teriorly. Upper tail-coverts. Dusky slate or grayish"White tipped with Grayish brown, edged brown. fuscous. with buffy. Tail. Dusky slate or grayish Fuscous, inner web Grayish brown faintly brown . of outer feather white, iridescent, with indica- except at end ; outer tions of a white termi- w'eb of three outer nal mark on the inner feathers edged with web of the outer feather, whitish. ( Ci ci^t cx 'ixj / iK ' (j~ 4 394 Dusky slate or grayish brown, inner tertials lightly edged with white. General Notes. Wings. Fuscous, tertials faint- ly edged with whitish. f Auk LOct. Grayish brown faintly iridescent, the coverts slightly, tertials more widely, margined with huffy or ochraceous. r It is of course well known that in the Tree Swallow both birds of the year and adults moult before leaving us for the South while the Cliff Swallow migrates before moulting. It is consequently of interest to observe that in this hybrid moult has begun normally with the innermost primaries. This fact is also of importance in determining the bird’s age and, in connection with the unworn condition of the wing-feathers, it leaves no doubt that the specimen is in post-natal plumage. The radical differences in the character of the nests of the sup- posed parents of this bird lead one to speculate on the type of nest-structure in which it was reared, but, unfortunately, our curi- osity in this direction cannot be gratified. Auk, XIX, Oct., 1902, p p- , 25 C h e£&cCcm. cr^ ClAZR-Aj B&Btern Massachusetts. s$/tt£ccli {TW /£_ f— ,/£ 4 _ x/KIWj, u-\ i) \ jo i im %«j ( 0 /asw- &- ii-.mi. ?i _ lx A 1 - u^inph 7 t- M<> CdL £4 f+ &*-• h~,*U' & & 1 ft X. — - /^ A ; / <• ^ /o^l / x,l <&rfps r '. /?£. /tfl b 6 l 9 n jfi <***^ l° Lfr~j jx_ /(,*_ 3 /\ j n *■ 6. . , „ A. . 7- - M ; ; f - IW. ^ io - ^ J / 7® i/~. /jto y 64 iiv, *»., 6s /i x °js ,0 jc 7 //tUir^J/f 1 ID ,s i 21 6 -J,2 1 -2J 1 \%^2S'- 2<@ ^ 0 © IV9 ^ "3 zipz c -TrjTTy" _ /r- iPvvM^ /^* 2 -j*jx?/. /, /I l^3*_V*.1oK /yK 2U £ - £ - -23 /m (< €>&i*ca/\--}?-- /y-J? ~£/-- 2^1 /WZ 23 k 27 '- 2L‘ S :27 ®2? ~, J ‘ ~ /^ . ^ /^-4 yr /«'#*. /J*-M&/t &c - M% / 0 21 -- 2 i SO -M'- 3 P$. 3 I -**£!**■ Xld A Aa^u^ca. / 2 -i ‘£ 3 L* ftp** ’ /m ■ /-° 2 ^ 3 30 7 ~ 6 : / 2 ? / 3 ~°/^ 3 /£-/ 7 ~° 2 /® 22 ® 23 27 x ZX ¥ 2 ?* Jo® 3 /®Z^a /}JZ J %ji 4 !/ S J 7 ®/?Xc® 21 ® zX 2 ^ 277 2 ^ 3 DX r i^.m ou. IK &l\£T 7^ * A^/. 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('.• , (.' 1 v ^ . 7^ , , J-L.-f ' ^ y^LtX X / L\f^<- r 6uzr CLaZT-a. ^ TtZ 7-4333 y> i . (y y c ^ t x. ^tXlS/L-c ®y‘ I C\y^WlJ-^- lA ..X/1 1-X, / iCv-^L Xx "437 ^ ^ ^ t^z x oL^oc. iM_ cjjy tz^r^ 7 tx y4~, ^7-^j /co j/y-1. Tzi^ iZ iz 'ftzztzZy Jv*77ur. Uc iTz ^o— ^ ^ u, - 2 y 7x4 yy ^ 4 ^7 yx4 / u^o^r— y Ly.^y ? A 4„ /tvj . i^/li Arb^Zet Jxj^ai 4i U c-oxAA^A £ yjT uyCxA^ \J /Z-biy-A tC-( ?20 2 ^XL--w%-a-^x^ v 4^w_ 4r^ 4 c7 k^U^ /J27y ^TTZLy^Z i^ioxo UjZ C fZJ^ 4^A^- ^ZA-A. / Jj^dZo uACt 4 4 , across the open commons. The birds paid no attention to-day to dragon flies* 12 ! mo buuti, JuXm Ij ^'i vu^ CU ^' , . Jwvu ' A fijL4hAfy tftus^dAA.. $~h$ns /3^.y.MX ^/4»u. A-/' UtJ*> H^iuovriuA AsVU*- , s iw/t l Uhfo& ,s4u 7l ; PT2 'Y&^oC' TJTCtdL ffly uvc Vvfr*£ 4a^A"wJ/^ i/\j~iw<-aL> TT (L&A&y P(Ta, !\A*S*rTl\A / Vd'i^tJU, /2#-‘JZu^ Z J , ■-S-s^-v pl\A ^ Ct, §xA-T‘T^ WvCZ' yL>W$ ~tti tw\, 6,-vT & l&^*Ty Goa^/vT L~x IxAw^, A- /*t**-T ^X-A^y A-Swt *vvt f aA^*y^w^C, <--u. ' II -,,. " ‘ - ‘ * • ' • - " •* 4fax\AA-/ fttl tC M &t-*wT%£y d'V^t 7” KHV-? /x-wil ^M, A*,)? OXt^-TT. TTZ\ ^yvorvw V 4t*Wi ~^ 'A'6%4 'HtV- 7 Wist} L^cTa^ccuCTT fflCZT $fs£ 4^ &\a*+i.****A ^ %ZZk ^-i vvwy vy H t 4 / 4it*tv4>iv4. 4/Q -/ZZ^ C&*A\ 6{JT\" T / ^vv vvt- i^iA. - /C*/v #v\. <^ z AjU y t*ru4 ? £*-{.-*As %ssnJA~. « 4^4 twA^, 0 *A/f-n 4 tM A~-c/~ Hv»^u 4 v« ^ / 7 c~-V 4-y tj4vt^ Z-^-v *vt, ^* '''' 4 ^ x _ ^ 4 /,v//*'^‘^ 4 *>^- o~(f<^ — 4 ^r». ^ c*s*Tir»>v^-«vCv^ ^^ 44 ^ p >Cwa ST^-Z-Cu '’^‘Wr/ 0 AKs^aL CkMj-a^.Aj ^ TXv^v . (a viAva i/v^v ^ 7 w- - {j^lyZjr~fAr~ , ^7 tAT- 1 ^, 4 ^.. Aju y ^ ^ZTT-X. cLK^Cty ~£47 I* ’ •> ' ^ ^ cAJa^l % Ua? ~Zb~ 0 \ /TxAsCc ^) ' £< 'f 'C^ fpX_A- ^ zLaS AaS~ XAyt^- i fr^ st^A e-/^ 4 >> ^ 7 C / / — 6-~y \{Af ^/Xa-- ‘7 -C^y (f.As^A 0^^-A A -J (,\. / , / ... '’ / . , -,. T 7 -J- < Y"- — r 7 -^, f) CA^C-l 0^^ K^er-A/Us^ 17 ^ e^yC-.s^ / -A. IaJ /k -4 $1 C'-^x^y.uA^ y*— i^jL V ^ C‘ 1 /^?/^ ^ (Tl) \yy£■ zz yza&y y^zz^^y < ^^p^z^zzy / y^y yXcZztz Z^pp^ ,z/' ztsy iUxZy^S zz^'Mzys z^yy# , j^y^t'?/' z^y^piz^^yy^y pp^z^zzy^y /yZ/r ^yzy^z pi^zz' zy zz^zzy zz^cy zy^zy^ y z^yy z*y /y sgzztt-tz' y^y , pz^y^ / ^y yy /zz-zp^zx . sxzzzz zyy /zzzzzz-^y Ay zzz^yz y-z yy^ fip s/yy y^y ztz/y j^'z^yfazzy zzy^/xzzty. yy^ ^^^zz/y zz^^z^z^^z' y yzzzyyr'^^ yy yyy p yU pz^rp ,yyy z^Azzy p^yzz'zzxsy p^y yu^^yy zyyzzy^' y- ^ /-/y^ y y^z yyyy yyy yz^^z/y r yy^ zZtfaz^ JS‘ j7 /^f^Sy /zjzZ$ >%£ ^ /UTT^^ZZtjZ yZZty'/Zzs £z£z&r ^^y?/*l/^ty*y j^^ZZ^y z2> fa;ZtUZ?SsZZ?.zf&y ^" y^Z y^zOU^Z ylZzzZ^y^/ /U^t/ /y^y/ZZ^'yztZZ yyy/z-e/y fl^UZtzy 'Zj zZyUy' /Z-7zfZ'Z ' /*Z/y sZtZZZZ&Sy Jyttz^r yi^y^/^y^y y'fylZZZ' / yz/tezy^' zz&t^ S^y/’ /^ZZZZz^ /U'y'T^fyz //'ZV'zZytz^ y^ty ytztz6fc?&f /fat' y£&zizif J?Z&z4' /t-r^z-fy' < ? //rzzz’^' 1 /^£z*/’ ^yzyzyS ^ziryzy z3> zzyzyy/^ y^y^y^ y^yiy yzyzyz^ zyy yzzzz/z- - yZy^ Ck> z^^Ty^ Zt-zZ zHyf z^zf^scyz^zzzTzf SZy S&zi-n^&eztf Mass. ,ril ,LS. 1893. Concord, Mass# 3,1a;/, /J. ( • / ' / «,A * 7 / /■? Tit ^ •£ v> ;vf (.>i S% ! l •s* 4 J) , ^ «. W. 4 7* ^ 4 jPf £*'^X * ■ -//. >, • A/ $- ' 1 ' ■ ‘ -f <3 * , ' / * 4* A. | ^ ^ •v. f A Mavs "Mx^4 /v *’ 7* If .*-». 4/ U k SL l^+iu ;v • / ft •"V •• * ” ..it . j yk^ / #4r* ^twC ^ ® v 4 **• •' jMf* A*-* *'**"'• ,.* #/ 7 t <*1*1 *:•• ; ',vA}< P**t *jfL H •. * • *' • ' " J ' A '^ *4 W « j / a ft. . # . , , k v ... / ti.**'* r *4.* ^IGt. a*i/ /It/***. Kisu** ** ^ ' f ’■'" £ '» ** *■ ; ‘ ; ‘ .. M» 1 • • , 1 aL m* e^, 1 ^ - ^/v V Chel idon erythro^astra. Concord, Mass. 1893. (I was returning from the cabin at twilight in ray open j Julv 18. canoe ). Soon after the Red-wings had been driven away from the roost on the Barrett meadow, in fact before they had quite disappeared in the gloom a flock of twenty Barn Swallows came dashing past flying low over the water, doubling and twisting like so many Snipe and making a great outcry as if alarmed or excited. After whirling about for several moments they swept in over the meadow and apparently alighted in the Phalaris at the very spot which the Blackbirds had evacuated. I say apparently because I did not actually see any of the birds alight but merely lost sight. of them at this point and failed to see them reappear against the sky or over the water lower down river. On several occasions last year I saw Swal- lows flying about this Blackbird roost at evening and once or twice was nearly sure that they alighted in the Phalaris al- though I never could settle the point definitely. I Chelidon ervthrogastra . Concord, 1893. Aus.5. Aug . 8 . Mass . During most of the afternoon a number of Barn Swallows were flying about over Mr. Keyes’s field, coursing close over the stubble like hounds searching for a lost trail. It is one of the prettiest sights which the summer brings-ghese graceful long-winged, fork-tailed birds skimming swiftly to and fro turning and returning abruptly and seldom leaving £he bounda- ries of the field. It carried my thoifhts back to boyhood and to England. Fully 100 Barn Swallows were flying over the meadows op- posite Ball's Hill this forenoon. I reviewed a large portion of the flock without detecting any other species except the Eave Swallow of which I saw a single representation. * Chel ido.n ervthro.ter* I 39 5. Mass . Awe . 5 G1 quo e. star Miss Marion B. Keyes tells me that at Eastern Point, Glouces*- ter, Mass, on Aug. 3 she saw a brood of four young Swallows leave the nest which was on a ledge under the roof of a piazza. The old Swallows spent nearly the whole forenoon in persuading them to fly calling to them from the opposite side of the piazza and taking short flights to show them how. By noon all the young had departed-.' Miss Keyes is sure of this for she stood on a chair and looked into the nest which was posit ibrely empty-.' That event- ing at sundown all four of the young Swallows returned to the nest, crowded into it and spent the night there. Both of their parents also returned and roosted on the ledge near the nest* Miss Keyes afterwards learned from the friend who owns the house that the young Swallows returned on each of the three following nights making four nights in all. Thid is the only instance that has ever come to my notice of young birds of any kind returning to their nest*. cbr v*- : -A A o Penobscot Bay, Maine, 2W Su^d.. u^~zo±su % - ui u± Jo, I » r-y * f- l J- V - l 7-‘ f-‘*S /o^//^^V3®^ < 9 C'V-V //^CV\^ , fyu/L UfJQC* &\J*ir%JL r xsJ-'^j * i.twJ' fr*»xe*** > \ydUUi tAA-C^ f J vjOy /4~ i ^^lAA tA*. ^V*-WW« / $~J ^fr-V-v, ^VA/^^t-W-7 # y^vv>y S^Us* 0 ~^* C tj /Xt*A/\* ^atSSeCj 0-** 0“W ty~J 0 ^ 4>» V ^M , Ajll^ A^J i^&’O ^t^pC 6 &C*~ dA/^^w u/OKw ibfaxi - /t**^(c f ^UA *-*// /Vv^ J^-t>-*- A, tAA. ^Aaa-C^x^ ^va>£, /^1/va^^ (i^ *Xva. a. , l ^ a ^~^\y — jb*ss*~** , ^Va 1|-4 y£s~tOr^*^Js *rnf /^-\^ t/v > / V ^ * C ^ ^^Oc V j 40 % T ^ - _ ^cL* , *&■ /^C, ^t ~6 . Chelidon ervthro&aster . Peterborough, New Hampshire. 1898. Abundant, nearly every suitable barn having its colony July 5 to Aug .15. of breeding birds. There were eight nests in the barn and one under a shed, on Ben Mere farm. On Aug . 5th - three of the broods had flown, on the 11th only one brood remained in the nest. Flocking began July 20, old and young birds collecting in long lines on telegraph wires. (July 20®, 21®, 24®, 28 ©, 29®, 50®, Aug.l^, 2®\ 3 @ , 6^, 7®, 8® ). The song twitter was heard constantly through July and up to Aug. 15th. 1399. A brood of young were fed by their parents on the same July & August . branch (a short dead branch of a beech near the house) daily from July 9th to 14th. /V; /!r? A to / /M r . }K6yM, /|^y OS~*b~0 'V^rvv^jA/\- ^AO ^*->'— *X /^TAyl./'^v v^\jsTt%AAd^A ^t~VT /vV-z-Wt. O^ J^yf^oA. . ^ O^MT^ /A-V(. f v- ^ (A*f^J '-KV*> ^*'"''' 5 Kr *- — J CU#s vS Oc«r«-*— ^rr->- *+ZXZk>*~j Q^K+yl^ AA»yynjAj tAr-A^ V‘i'>—v*Hh-' > ' ^ -f^ crv ^V^. /A-A. W /~*rv\ 4-^St^) U<r. bw»- < »* > y *^}A- ,fM -^( ^ B " l "‘A»'X_ *_ £| |vA wi. ~0T Au ^Maa. f /aa^A. -Uv v^i ^SZZaA *> ^ JT irj I J dXZ^ V*^4 a ^Afcv ^-#SA**-»A< ^v/rv-, tVvv. j>Ju^. o- ^AAO W ^ r *^ '^ Z * - ) °^- c ^«*^»L Cj DA IM' - C ^M i t5» V T5vX Vu*< VV «U>HaA v^ Vvv^ ^.hAA W. J ^_> ? o3 I. 1 0 m >— 5 ’UJ CO CD O rj ^ ^ .S •? si ^ -d tQ > c3 (X) bo u 2 a t- cJ £ £ £ >? > h b g s . v a> +2 tk O -£3 ® -2 H pi 0 1 & H 00 "£ 5 w 9 O W £ o Dwight, Summer Birds of Prince Edward. Island* Chelidon erythrogaster. Barn Swallow. — Abundant and generally distributed. Auk X, Jan, 1893. p.12 L Ornithological Trip to St. Bruno. P. Q, May 25, 1885. E. D. Wintle, Montreal. Barn Swallow, scarce. O.&O. XI. May. 1686. p. 76 ' Samer Birds of Sudbury, Out. A.H. Alberger, 613. Barn Swallow. Common in the village. Q> &0 5 ZV, 3&B§ s 1390, p»88 JL Summer Bird, of Bras D’Or Region 0*pe Breton Id, , N. S. J. Dwight, J?. 42. Chelidon erythrogaster. Auk, 4, J*n* > 188 /. i>. 18 M t ’\ - o (' a j idi/i j' j ft, l < c (Jouhi^ ' t C /0/ f j* ' 2. O C , _ _tA_ ff ^ JlHaS- l2*-^oa — f' t)Q '<-4AsiA^cf~-^ &/usCa/ txit) , h*j ~f~ 'lA.d/AA-^P'^ (? / >XX / yj 48. Hirundo erythrogastra. Barn Swallow. bury. Breeds. - Common at Hailey- ^KAJtb’ <&?T(ruriiX* C.a^.ad(^ t (C. 9 (Ja^w a/ * {°CLsdk. t(, dtKA^ck (3/iSi.cLa, Ifop fri.ttTi, 997 Hirundo erythrogastra. Barn Swallow. Regular summer resident, common April 20 to August 30; earliest record April 8, 1890; breeds (June 25, 1892). Birds of Dead River Region, Me. F.H, G. 39. Eirundo erythrogastra , (Bam Swallow). Noticed at Farmington. It Is not to be expected that this species would be very abundant in a thinly populated country. O.&O. XI. Oct. 1886. p. 146 SummepResidents on Southwest Ooasfc of Maine. T. H, Montgomery, Jr. 613. Barn Swallow. Bather uncommon at Boothbay. Abundant at Camden. and 0, Xos Ubv.iseo, p.162 Maine Bird Notes. — The Swallow Roost, of which I gave an account some years ago (Auk, Jan., 1895, p. 48) has moved to another location within two or three years. I think the first impulse to change was given by the felling of most of the willows which they were wont to frequent. From time to time trees had been cleared away, but this cutting was on more wholesale lines and not to the Swallows’ liking. There was, however, sufficient small willow growth farther back on the point for roosting, but they did not take to it, and though the banks are again thick with new growth they have not returned. The next summer after the cutting of the trees they would collect, yet in smaller and smaller numbers, and go through some of their evolu- tions, either in memory of old times or from force ’of habit, and then depart half a mile southeast to the Kennebec River. I have been told by people living close by, that there had been for some time a smaller roost on an island in the Kennebec, seven or eight hundred feet long and cov- ered by a thicket of willows with an occasional elm tree. It was to this roost that the Messalonskee Swallows joined themselves. Here are per- formed by a countless host similar interesting manoeuvres to those before described and by the same kinds of Hirundinidte. 4 Y' - t— - - & u riT j t (.-< r ^7 1 i c, Cl^M, XV"/, (PCX', f^cf, jb, ft ne.N.H, Aug, 8-20-1866. R.D f/ t~j (/isisiA^eCo f * •• —JLuf.fLo Rye Beach, N.H. 1867. //, XT Rye Beach, N.H. 1808. **■ ^ ^cco^ M f CL^.7 ' u ; LfiC. I R ye Beach, N.H.1871. ft c\maa-cL&3. F.H.Ailen Chelidon erythrogaster. -Very common. Auk, VI. Jan,, 1889. p.78 Birds of Hillsboro Oo. N. H. June 27, ’92 Arthur M. Farmer, Amoskeag.N.H, j Barn Swallow, fairly common. 0«& o Vol.17, Sept. 1892 P. 138 Breezy Point, Warren, N.H. C'Aj.-lx, tfifu 1804. Lk~ K* .J ti'-niX /£ - /7. /6r. /f ■ J.o-2./- 2.1-13- ^ Ht+aZOt. >•.&/ „ JmML zyT 'ui H- ik- *< 3o± HJL {£ A-iav , I •'•, • A~ x ^■( ojjczc* tiA ^ / ^ //r yu • 7 : <£ ^7W^ -'..iv J? *^ x4 ^ yiu y IM1 _ Summer BcLs.Mt. Mansfield, Vtr. 49. Chelidon erythrogaster. Barn Swallow. — Common in the valley. by Arthur H. Howell. Auk, XVIII, Oct., 1901, p.343. Gc\w * s. j, • . / B. Mass. 1885*. *» , ^mc*ton* Rutland, Mass, Aug-. 3-1883 /C ^VWu»»^ . — ' « *+< t**< ^ _ / 7 A; Princeton/*, No. Rutland, Mass. Jtuae, 1-8 -1886. //n, Mass. June 1868 . . ; ii-i / iTIY Falmouth ..Mass . 1889 . 1 * 7 , ¥ o Bristol County, Mass. 5 ' aUM !l r 8 t:StKH.A»dro,. Aug. 14 ; slightly cooler weather. Barn Swal- lows have begun to flock together, G,<& O. XI. Jan. 1886. p. / Fail Miration. Brtst*l County . M the Barn Swallow, on the contrary, departed earlier than usual, which goes to show tha some birds, though they may be of the same lambed, have more animal heat than their congeners. O.&o. XI. Jan. 1886. p. / Birds of Bristol County, Mass. F.W. Andros. Chelidon erythrogaster (Bodd.), Barn Swal- low. Summer resident, common. iee 0.& O. XII. Sept. 1887 p. 14Q 51. Chelidon erythrogaster. Amk, V, ©ot,, 1888. p. 380 Bds. Obs. near Graylock Mt. Berkshire Co. Mass. June 28- July 16. W. Faxon 42. Chelidon erythrogaster. Barn Swallow. — Common. Often seen flying about the summit of Graylock. Auk, VI. April, 1889. p.102 Bds. Ohs. near Sheffield, /-v_ u... .Time i7-2a, 80 . Berkshire W. Faxon 47 . Chelidon erythrogaster. Barn SwALLOW.-Common. Auk. VI. JaXt., 1880. p. 46 Barn Swallows ( 11 Iru v do erythrogastra). — Within a few yards of the house occupied by Mr. John R. Sandsbury during the time he is caring for the Terns on Muskeget Island, and where I make my headquarters when visiting there, is an old shed or boathouse which has several aper- tures. This shed has been used as a nesting place for the past six years by apparently the same pair of Barn Swallows. At my request Mr. S. made a few notes on these birds, which arrived this year (1898) on May 29. It is their custom to repair the old nest, they never having built any since the first one. Four young birds were hatched this season. The old birds would occasionally fly into the sitting-room of the house, but were always frightened on getting inside. When I was visiting Muskeget this summer (July 2-5, 1898), I found, in addition to the old pair of birds, still another pair, apparently birds of last year, assisting in feeding the four young ones in the nest. This they continued to do up to July 10, the date on which the young left the nest. On this date they were all flying about together, the young going at intervals to the nest to rest. On July 11, there were only the two original old birds and the four young ones, and they remained around until July 19, the young returning to the nest every night. The young birds were so tame that they would alight on, and even run over Mr. Sandsbury’s fingers while he rested his hand upon abeam which was near the nest. They returned occasionally up to August 1, but were not so tame, alighting on top of the shed and on the clothes line near the house. At this latter date the group consisted of the two old birds and the four young. — George H. MackAy, Nantucket , Mass. Auk, XVI, April, 1899, p. / ?y. Barn Swallow ( Hirundo erythrogaster ) On August~16, 1909, an albino male specimen was shot by Russell Bearse at Chatham, Mass. The bird was taken on the flats off Monomoy Island where Mr. Bearse had gone after shore birds, and where it had been seen previously for several days. It was . nearly pure white and the only suggestion of any other color was on the inner webs of the middle tail feathers where the white spots ordinarily exist in the normal plumage. These white spots on close scrutiny could still be seen, showing that the rest of the plumage Was not pure white. This specimen is in the collection of the Boston Society of Natural History. Aak 27, Apr -1910 p, Connecticut;, Ju»e„ 1803. -4 (.6 ( H U- /!-' / 3- A 1 ' •?»-' 7 Z! v ll-.Z3 r U' s _ZSi fcjLl, «r ^ sc K> ^ 6--^ /VY &>7 tv-^ 02 ^ TK— < ^ r , Ltr cA-'-ih j~^7 r ^ _, r u {c^n, ’rFr-* c Ir^-I. < ^“VAAv- "‘ vA XT« ?'>v . c ^ ; *y*~ "y *■ *r ? ^ ‘K^T% Wltf *• Jty — Birds observed in Naval rounds, Brooklyn Hospital Cr. JJ, Gou ©3 "■ Barn Swlit.ow — Common j breeds. Bali N.O.O. 4, Jan., 1879, p,32 Birds of the Adirondack Region. C.B.Merxiam. 50 . Hirundo erythrogaster, Boddaert. Barn Swallow. — Common enough everywhere outside the woods. Bali N.O.O, 6 , Get, 1881 , p, 229 Arrivals of Mig’y Birds, Spring-1886 Central Park, N. Y. City. A. G. Paine, Jr. April 29, Chelidon erythrogaster , (613). Bai Swallow. O.&O. XI, July.l886.p.i09 Bds. Obs. at Little anc' Great Cell Up- lands, N.T. Aug. ’88 S.H.Dut- her. is tfSeT : 7 A,mort — d - then- southward migration. These birds and those o^th ^ ^ °" speces seemed, in their flight, to follow the line of t he island mainland to Fisher’s Island, from Fisher’s to LittZ r r ’ ™ the Great Gull, Great Gull to Plum, and so to Long Island^" ’ Gt,U *° Auk, TL April, 1889. p. / 3 Q Birds Tioga 0®, N.T, , Alden Loring.j 154. Barn Swallow. Common; breeds.' ^The nest is placed under the eaves of a barn. It is composed of mud and is lined with feathers or fine straw, and contains four eggs, sometimog five. They are of a creamy white color spotted with two shades of brown, mostly at the larger end. The measurement is usually .76 by .56. Two broods are sometimes reared in one jj season. O t 8?0 V XT, Mne, 2890, p»82 c XjU\ / lx£v«) ^ £> *J. ^ S' 3 0 . Barn Swallow. Tolerably common. E. A. Sterling, Brooklyn, Pa. Auk, XIX, July, 1902, p.298. Birds at Fort Klamatk, Oregon. d) . a,. Madras, 16. Hirundo erythrogastra horreorum, Barton. Barn Swai.- row. — June 15, 1875 ( McElderri /). A summer resident (Henshaw). Bull- N. O.O. 4, July, 1879, ».1«4 •Birds of Vf ashington Co. Oregon. A.'W.A.n thorny. 88. Hirundo erythrogaster. Barn Swallow. — R ather rare; seen tor a few days only in spring and fall. Amk, 8. April, 1880. p.lTO Birds of Fort Klamath, Oregon. J.C Merrill. Remarks by Wm. Brewster Chelidon erythrogaster. — Common. Auk, V. October, 1888. p.360 73 V igo2 X J Mearns, Description of a Hybrid Swallow. DESCRIPTION OF A HYBRID BETWEEN THE BARN AND CLIFF SWALLOWS. BY EDGAR A. MEARNS. In the ‘Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club,’ Yol. Ill, No. 3, July, 1878, page 135, Doctor Spencer Trotter described a hybrid between FTi rundn erythrogast er Boddaert and Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say). The specimen was taken at Lin wood, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1878, by C. D. Wood. “Unfortu- nately he [Wood] did not carefully determine its sex by dissection, though he believed it to have been a male.” On June 14, 1893, at Fort Hancock, El Paso County, Texas, I found a pair of swallows which were mated, and had almost com- pleted a nest attached to a rafter of an old building, in a situation too difficult for me to reach. As I recall it, the nest was similar to that of the Barn Swallow, having the entrance at the top. Both birds were shot. The male (No. 134,420, U. S. National Museum) was a typical Barn Swallow; but -the female (No. 134,421, U. S. National Museum), which was about to lay eggs, was a hybrid between Hirundo erythrogaster and Petrochelidon lunifrons} It may be described as follows: Length, 149 mm.; alar expanse, 296; wing, 107; tail, 59; culmen (chord), 8; tarsus, 12; middle toe with claw, 15. 8. 1 2 The characters are, in general, intermediate between those of the two genera — Hirundo and Petrochelidon — and species. As regards the form of the bill and the form and 1 The resident Cliff Swallow of the Rio Grande Valley is Petrochelidon lunifrons, not P. melanogaster , which latter occurs on the Mexican boundary line to the westward, from the San Luis Mountains to Nogales (monuments 65 to t22 of the latest survey). See Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, Vol. XIV, September 25, 1901, p. 177. 2 Its mate, a typical male of Hirundo erythrogaster, measures : Length, 169 ; alar expanse, 308 ; wing, 114; tail, 82; culmen, 6.9; tarsus, 1 1 ; middle toe with claw, 16.2. An adult female of Petrochelidon lunifrons (No. 163,687, U. S. National Museum), taken at Fort Clark, Kinney County, Texas, April 28, 1898, measures : Length, 145; alar expanse, 300; wing, 106; tail, 53; culmen, 7.7; tarsus, 14.5; middle toe with claw, 16. 74 General Notes. fAuk L Jan* position of the nostrils this is precisely the case. The wing is but slightly longer than that of the Cliff Swallow. Ihe tail is forked, and of intermediate length. The feet are intermediate, but most resemble those of the Cliff Swallow. Ihe colors of the iris, bill, and feet, were noted at the time of capture as indistinguish- able from those of its mate — a Barn Swallow. In coloration, the wings and tail are intermediate between those of the two species, which are brown in the Cliff Swallow and blue in the Barn Swallow. The forehead is ferruginous, as in the Barn Swallow ; but the sides of the head and neck, behind the eye, where blue in the Barn Swallow and ferruginous in the Cliff Swallow, are an intimate mixture of the two. On the back, the buffy-white edging of the feathers is apparent, but not so plainly indicated as in the Cliff Swallow (the whole upper surface, except the ferrugi- nous frontal band, is uniform steel-blue in the Barn Swallow). The rump and upper tail-coverts differ from those of either species, although the pattern is that of the Cliff Swallow ; the color instead of tawny-ochraceous is cream-buff, lightly and irregularly spotted with blue, the longest coverts being purplish brown. The under parts most closely resemble those of the Barn Swallow ; chin and throat hazel, darker than the Barn Swallow and lighter than the Cliff Swallow, from which latter it differs in having the hazel color more extended posteriorly, and in lacking the black pectoral spot. The whole underparts, including the under tail-coverts, are washed with ferruginous, but less strongly so than in the Barn Swallow. The under wing-coverts are intermediate. Two outer rectrices are spotted with grayish white on the inner webs, these being immaculate in the Cliff Swallow, spotted in the Barn Swallow. Auk, XIX, Jan., 1902, pp.J3 ,7H Albinism and Melanism in North American Birds, Buthven D>*ns, J /C art sjrf H.horreorum* Bull. N. 0.0. 1, April, 1876, p.2i Descriptions of First Plumage of Cer- tain North Am, Bbs. Wm. Brewster, 43. Hirundo horreorum. First plumage: female. Fork of tail not deep ; outer feathers project- ing one-half inch beyond the inner ones. Remiges and rectrices brown ; upper parts, in general, glossed with dull steel-blue ; feathers of rump and upper tail-coverts edged with rusty ; frontal band narrowed to a mere line of pale fawn-color. Beneath similar to adult, but everywhere paler. From a specimen in my collection taken at Rye Beach, N. H., August 21, 1872. Bull. N.O.O, 3, April, 1878. p. & 3 . Albino Barn Swallow. July % I had the good luck to shoot an Albino Barn Swallow that was evidently not long out of the nest, but still was in good plumage. It was a creamy white on belly, the back of a lighter shade, and contrary to most Albinos, did not have pink eyes. I need not say I gladly welcomed it to my collection -A. son, HydevilU, Ff.O.& O. IX. AUg,1884.'p./0‘f r f) ^ /)>... A 7\ «# a li , i, « ,» y /I y » Jl ct-A-yQp~7) *->x ^ P^-A. -» U ^^^t'j<’/, A (AA. «w ^ U^,^y ^-^Jo /\A -K4tw^~. fr-v*~\_ *<>^-*1*. ■t^»w J ■fppi~. ,/u^. uHa. •'<■ A^‘ ° ?s f % ' , ■' . / , - £K>\ &*" ^ CA' r-^J,C' ll' *■ / '/^5n ) '. --~T */!*>. - A. «•■. The Migration of the Swallows.— I have noticed for several years that before the young Swallows were capable of enduring a prolonged flight, old and young ' gathered together in one vast assembly and moved gradually southward, making short stages from farm to farm f at last (in 1884, on August 9), with a favorable north wind and a clear sky, they left the Island in a body, only a few stragglers remaining, just enough to remind us that summer was still with us. — Francis Bain, North River , P. E. /. Auk, 2, April, 1886. p. z. f(o . 587. Swallows in Boston. By Carl Reddots and Ceander Wetherel 1 . Ibid., No. 29, p. 222. — First seen in 1883 about August 4. ©cisaO®, 'ToiiK 582. [ Absence of\ Swallows in Boston. By Carl Reddots. Ibid., No. 26, p. 133. SJoienoe, VgX 3 II 163 A SWALLOW ROOST AT WATERVILLE, MAINE. BY ABBY F. C. BATES. NOT FAR from where a small stream, called the Messalonskee, ioins the Kennebec River, one may see at evening rom e middle of July to about the third week in September, an interest- inp - sisrlrt in the bird line. . . . The willow trees along the banks of this stream, P-trc^arly dose row some five or six hundred feet in length, form the roosting place of vast numbers of Swallows. During the fore- noon and early afternoon very few Swallows are to be seen in the sky — indeed they are conspicuous by their absence, _ little before sunset the birds begin to arrive in the vicinity, flyi g, sailing chasing each other around in the upper air, everywhere . . , g ’ , T. -nnrtV, and south, east and west, in they [ ever saw'them perform. Ocoasiorrally the, drop down into the ree, like pieces of paper, but often* the final alight, „g is a -ombined movement, sometimes in the shape of air inverted cone, — usually in a grand sweep after theft most elaborate evolution. Frequently they swoop out from the trees company after company, times before ,!,« las, settling, their wings no. on , making a tremendous whirring, but a perceptible movement o the am Their chattering keeps up from half to three quarters of an hour after they settle in the trees and their dark little bodies again that having asked six men of reputed good judgment to gle their individual ideas of the number of Swallows when thxs congregat g SSS5 -SSSss them but at the time when they are best massed and sufficiently near photograph, the light is so dim that nothing whatever appears on Swallows going to roost. Concord, Mass. 1887. I pushed out into midstream and ate my lunch there. The Aug. 15. sun was setting and the scene very peaceful and beautiful. Nearly 200 Swallows (about 150 Barn and 50 White-bellies ) passed in the course of fifteen minutes straggling along in the usual manner. I suspected at first that they were migrat- ing as they were flying up river (due South) out a little later when I reached the bend just below Ball’s Hill I was surprised to finding them dashing about in a close swarm now ' high, now just over the meadow grass. I saw at once that they were preparing to go to roost but for nearly twenty minutes they gave no clear indication of the precise spot . During this time they were whirling about in the most erratic manner, rising to a height of 300 or 400 feet, then dashing down close - over the river and meadow, at times massed together like a swarm of waders, at others spreading out more like Bobolinks but always flying in a nearly direct course and never inclin- ing from side to side in the usual way. Finally the whole throng dashed into and through a cluster of young white maples and black willows - trees 12 to 15 feet high - on the end of the point around which the river bends. Dozens swished through the leaves but not one, as far as I could see, actu- Swallows going to roost. Concord, Mass 1887. Aug .15, (No. 2 ). ally settled. About 100 Red-wings had previously gone to roost in this thicket and the sudden dash of the Swallows tke. cmt threw them into a panic. For a moment^ was black with birds and their wings made a rushing like wind in the tree toj»s. The Red-wings soon settled again and after a few high evolutions the Swallows made another headlong dash at the thicket . This time perhaps one quarter of them alighted and the remainder soon joined them. For several minutes more they kept up a continual fluttering among the leaves. I could see them against the light in the west and noticed that they perched on the maple leaves bending them down with their weight. A small numbers settled in the willows. They made a curious chattering for awhile like English Sparrows. It was nearly dark before they were all settled and still, and dusky before they alighted at all. After all was quiet I pushed my boat noisily in among the trees and thrashed the branches with the paddle, shouting at the same time but although most of the Red-wings decamped in great alarm only three or four Swallows could be dislodged. US Auk, XV, July, 1898, Notes on Generic Name's of Certain Swallows. — in the raid on nomen- clature made a few years ago Dr. L. Stejneger seems to have been peculiarly unfortunate. I have not yet trailed him anywhere without finding that either he did not go far enough in the right direction, or else he went in the wrong direction. The A. O. U. is to be commiserated in unwittingly adopting sundry changes Dr. Stejneger proposed and sought to impose on nomenclature. For example, he undertook to upset the established names Hirundo and Cotile by substituting Chelidon for the former, and Clivicola for the latter, after Forster, 1817. It appears from Sharpe’s introduction to the Monograph of Hirundinidce , p. xxxv, that Hirundo Linn, was characterized by Schaeffer, Elem. Orn. 1774, with II. rusti r a as type. If Dr. Sharpe’s method of determining the type of a genus be not at variance with A. O. U. canons, this operation of Schaeffer’s throws out Forster’s later attempt to transpose Hirundo and Chelidon , and we may happily revert to the status quo ante helium. Again, Dr. Sharpe, p. xliv, shows that Riparia Forster, 1817, has that sort of priority over Clivicola Forster, 1817, which results from previous pagination, and I believe we recognize that myth officially; if so, the name of the Bank Swallow becomes the tautonym Riparia riparia , or else R. europcea , or else R. cinerea. It is but justice to Dr. Stejneger to say that he was aware of this (Pr. Nat. Mus. V, 1882, p. 32), only he “preferred to accept the name Clivicola ,” though the reason for his preference is obviously a futile one by our rules. It is also due him to add, that he only “ supposed ” his generic synonymy of Swallows to be correct {ibid. p. 31). But neither supposition nor preference has any place in the A. O. U. Code. I can suppose a good many things that are not canonized in the code, and certainly prefer some things that are not canonized. For example, I “prefer” Riparia to Clivicola , and I “ suppose ” Dr. Stejneger wrong about Hirundo. The case thus raised by Dr. Sharpe should come up for consideration at the next meeting of the Union. — Elliott Coues, Washington, D. C. CuJ/x. .xv,