i FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FORSCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY r ^l THE OOLOGIST, FOR THE STUDENT OF BIRDS. THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. VOLUME XVII. ALBION, N. Y.: FRANK H. LATTIN, M. I).. PVBLlSnER. 190U. A. M. EDD Y, PRINTER AND BINDER. 1900. INDEX TO VOL. XVII. Alarm. A False 126 Albino Marsh Hawk, An 76 Ammodiamus savannarum 73 Anl, Groove-billed -72 Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker in Western New York, The 56 Associat on for the Protection of Wild Birds in Scotland 125 Association, The Oologlsts' 9 Audubon Class. Our 59 Auk, Razor-bill 122 Bird House, A 5 htird Life in a City Yard _22 Bird Music 149 Bird Notes from Maine 44 Bird-< Observed Within the Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich 139 Birds of Androscoggin Lake, Some Summer ..26 Birds of the Island of Vieques, Some Wlnter.71 Bittern, American IbO Bitterns Observed in Pennsylvania, Least 58 Blackbird, Brewer's .-. 76 Blackbird, California 74 Blackbird, Redwing 27, 88 Blackbird, Tricolored 75 Blackbirds, Our Western 74 Bluebird _6 Bobwhite 40, 120. 151 Bowdisb, B. S 11,28 California Mockingbird in 41 Catbird .27 Chickadee, Black-capped 54, 87 Chuck-wiU's-widow _73, 150 Carorba portoricensis 74 Cocyzus minor dominicata 72 Cones, Elliot U Crane, Sandhill 88,152 Cranes, Nests of 40 Creeper, The Brown 8 Cross-bill, White winged 58 Cuckoo, BlackbJUed 121 Cuckoo, Yellow-billed 121 Dakin, John A 55 De Cicheo Island, A Day on 117 Bendroica ruficainlla 74 Dickcissel 88 Diver, Great Northern 103, 121, 152 Dove, Ground 72 Dove, Mourning 72, 88 Duck, Black 27, 153 Duck, Wood 123 Eggs, Ne ts and 87, 101. 120 JSuthia hicolor 73 Euthia brijectita 74 Finches in Mississippi, Purple _12 Falco dominie en sis ^ 72 Flamingo, Feeding Habits of the Scarlet 154 Florida coetulea 72 Flycatcher, Least 38 Flycatcher, Great Crested 87 Flycatcher, Green-crested 89 Four Interesting Warblers 92 Frigate bird 118 Cnatcatcher, Blue-gray 33, 108 Goldfinch, American 38 Crackle, Bronzed 86, 150 Grosbeak, Pine 44 Grosbeak Rose breasted 38,85, 152 Grouse, Ruffed 88 Grouse within City Limits, Nesting of the Ruffed 58 Hairbird 85 Hawk, An Albino Marsh 76 Hawk, Broad-wing 109 Hawk, Cooper's 38, 107 Hawk. Marsh 107 Hawk Notes,— Oolov ical— 1899 107 Hawk, Red-shouldered 123 Hawk, Red-tail 38.72, 108, 123 Hawk, The Giant Cactus as a Nesting Place for the Western Red-tailed 126 Heron, Great Blue _38 Heron, Green 72 House, A Bird _5 Hummingbird in Illinois, The 123 Hummingbird, Ruby-throated 39, 101,183 Illinois, Prairie Hen in 135 Icterus portoricensis 73 Illinois, The Hummingbird in 123 Island of Vieques, Some Winter Birds of the.71 Jay, Blue 41, 150 Jays at Play. Blue 28, 44 Killdetr 103 Kingbird 87 Kingbird, Gray 73 Kingfisher, Belted 40, 72, 133 Lark, Prairie Horned 8ft Loon 103, 150 Magpie, American 89 Magpies. Montana 89 Maine, Bird Notes from .44 Mallard 88 Man-o'-war .72 Margarops fuscatus 74 Martin, Purple 5 Meadowlark 87, 150 Melanerpf s portoricensis 72 Jlimocichla ardosicacea 74 Mimus polyglottis orpheus 74 M' ckingblrd In California 41 Music, Bird 149 Myiarchus antillarum 7g Nest and Eggs 87, 101, 120 Nesting Habits of the Black-throated Green Warbler 43 Nesting Material 38, 53, 85 Nesting of the Ruffed Grouse within City Limits 58 Nesting Place tor the Western Red-tailed Hawk, The Giant Cactus as a 186 Nesting, Queer 156 Nesting Site, An Unusual 44 Nighthawk 53, 87 Notes 156 Notes, The Way to Keep Bird 70 Notes, Winter 41 Noddy 118 Nuthatch, White-breasted 54 Oologists' Association, The 9 Oriole, Baltimore 27 Orioles, Orchard 3» Osprey, American 72 Ovenbird 27,74 Owl, A Saw-whet 44 Owl, Great Horned 38, 41, 88, 121 Owl, Long-eared 38 Owl, Pacific Horned 139 Partridge, Mountain 156 Partridge, California 40 Partridge, Scaled 40 Pelican, Brown 53,78,120 Pennsylvania, Least Bitterns Observed in. . 58 58 THE OOLOGIST Pewee, Word 39, 102, 151 Pheasant, Ring 156 Phoebe 87,150 Pitangus taylorii 73 Pigeon, Passenger 38, 5-t Plover, Field 103 Plover, Upland 103 Plover, The Belted Piping 156 Plover, Wilson's ..72 Porto Rico, Some Winter Birds of the Is- land of Vieques 71 Porto Rico, A Day on De Clcheo Island 117 Prairie Hen in Illinois 135 Progne dominicensis 74 Quail, Mountain 156 Quiscalus brachyjilerus 73 Rail Carolina : 59 Redstart, American 27, 74, 85 Robin, American 39,87, 101, 151 Robin Roost, A 21 Robin Tragedy, A 42 Robins Roost Again 55 Sandpiper, Spotted 27, 72, 88, 103 Sandpiper, The Bartramlan 103 Scotland, Association for the Protection of Wild Birds in 125 Shrike, Loggerhead 60 Shrike, White-rumped _86 Shrike, A Tame 60 Sora, An Early 59 Sparrow, An Albino English _155 Sparrow, Chipping 85, 87 Sparrow, House .155 Sparrow, Song 27,88 Sparrow, Western Lark 105 Sparrow, Vesper 27 Story of My Life, A 105 Suggestions 42 Swallow, Barn 87 Swallow, Cliff 39 Swallow, Eave 39, 87, 101 Swallow, Republican 39 Swallow, White-bellied .5 Swallows, Tree 5, 27 Tanager, Scarlet '. 38 Tern, Bridled 119 Tern, Sooty 119 Thrush, Migratory 55 Thrush, Wilson's 27 Towhee 88 Vieques, Some Winter Birds of the Island of.71 Vireo cnlidris _74 Vireo, Red-eved 86,88 Vireo, Warbling 151, 152 Vireo, Yellow-throated 39, 88, 102 Warbler, Black-and-white 74, 92 Warbler, Blackburnian 85 Warbler, Chestnut-sided 92 Warbler, Golden-winged 85 Warblei-. Hooded.. 55 Warbler, Magnolia i 92 Warbler, Myrtle 74, 92 Warbler. Nesting Habits of the Black- throated Green _43 Warbler, Notes on the Yellow _12 Warbler, Parula 74 Warbler, Prothonotary 85 Warbler, Prairie 74 Warbler, Yellow 27, 38, 54, 88 Warblers, Four Interesting 92 Water thrush, Louisiana 74 Western Blackbirds, Our 74 Whip poor-will 54,122, 150 Winter Notes 41 Woodcock, American .122 Woodpecker, Downy -27 Woodpecker in Western New York, The Arctic Three-toed 56 Woodpecker, The Arctic Three-toed 155 Work to Do_ 69 Wren, House 88 Wrens, A Pair of Cactus 138 Wrens, Marsh 39 Yellow-throat, Maryland 27, 150 The Oologist. A MONTHLY PUBLICATION DEVOTED TO OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. VOL XVIL NO. 1 ALBION, N. Y., JANUARY, 1900. Whole No. 162 Wants, Exchanges, and For Sales. Brief special announcements, "Wants,' "Exchanges" "For Sales," Inserted In this department {or 250 per 2f> words. Notices over 25 words, charged at the rate of one-half cent per each additional word No notice Inserted tor less than 25c. Terms, cash with order. Strictly First-class specimens will be accepted In payment at one-third list rates. What's Your Number? Examine the number following your name on the wrapper of this month's Oologist. It denotes when your subscription expired or ■will expire. No. 162 your subscription expires with this issue 165 " '■ ■• " April, 1900 170 " •' •• " Sept. " WA'^^TED:— A good mounted Albino Squir- rel, (pure white. "Will pay cash or give good exchange in skins or mounted specimens. Send full description and lowest cash price. O. S. BIGGS. San Jose, 111. FOR EXCHANGE :— Fine .collection of 180 different kinds of U, S. and foreign stamps, in- cluding many rare ones, for best ofier in A No. 1 sets of eggH. J. STANLEY HOWARD, West Medford. Mass. TO EXCHANGE:— First-class sets of eggs with datas for a camera size 4x5 with entire outfit. "Would like a double plate holder in camera if possible. Address GEORGE "W. THOMPSON, Jamaica Plain, Mass. "WANTED:— 'Star" tobacco tags. I will pay 50c per 100 for same with small stars on the back, and 10c per hundred for plain tags with- out stars. Address F. "W. COLLINS, Box 431, Garden City, Kan. TO EXCHANGE:— Mounted birds and eggs in sets and singles for .*ame. GEO. L. SWEZ- EY, Bruen Ave., Irvington, N. J. I HAVE a few sets of Am. Bittern for sale cheap. If you want to buy eggs from this lo- cality, cheap, next season write. FRED MALT- BY, Harvey, N. Dak. $3 will buy 150 kinds of foreign and native woods or will exchange for woods not in my collection. LOUIS W HAHN, Lake Avenue, Silver Creek, Chautauqua Co. , N. Y. "WILL EXCHANGE S. B. shotgun, pair No. 10 hunting boots, lancewood rod for animal heads, skins or horns, mounted or unmounted. Box 421. "West Haven, Conn. EXCHANGE :— Will exchange 12 perfect ar- row points from Kentucky for same niimber from other states. Also some good relics to exchange for U. S. and foreign stamps. R. A. BROWNE, 2011 Whiteman St., Cincinnati, O. WANTED:— Sets 31, 63, 104, 118. 140, 196. 318, 365. 408, 453. 452a, 631, 706, 712, 731 and others. Offer sets, mounted birds and skulls. VERDI BURTCH, PenttYan, N. Y. FOLLOWING SETS to exchange for sets A. O. U. Nos. 2. 1.55, 224,228, 207, 402a. 482, 479, 712 and 487. Would like sets of 2»0, 300, 305, etc. CHAS S. THOMPSON. Stanford University, Cal. WANTED:— Copper pennies dates 1793. 1799, 1804, 1808. 1809, 1811, 1823. In exchange birds e^gs, Indian relics, old U. S. money. Good bargains. All letters answered. H. W. MITCHELL. 3C6 Nelson Ave., Saratoga Springs, N. Y. EXCHANGE:— Have a number of cloth bound books on fiction to exchange for sets with full data. Canadian collected only. A. M. MACALISTER, care of Mercury offlce, Guelph, Ont., Can. TO ORNITHOLOGISTS:— I shall do some collecting on the Pacific coast soon with head- quarters at Riverside. Cal.. from Jan. ].=^th to April 15, IfOO, and where I shall be pleased to see or collect with anvone interested in the birds of that section. F. T. PEMBER, Gran- ville, N. Y. WILL EXCHANGE for fine sets rare eggs, a 4x5 Poco C Camera, new and regular equip- ment. THOMAS H. JACKSON, 343 E. Biddle St.. West Chester, Pa. 163 EXCHANGE:— I will give $1.45. catalogue value, worth of sets or singles for every 100 "Star"' tags with stars on back and 35c worth per 100 for the plain tags. F. W. COLLINS, Box 431, Garden Gity, Kan. FOR SALE:— Finely prepared skins with skulls of small mammals from Northern Al- berta, spermophiles 3 sp., tamias 2 sp., lago- mys, thomomys, sciurus, evotomys, peromy- cus, sorex, putorius. canis, etc.. etc. Also crude skeletons and choice bird skins, rare owls, grouse, ptarmigan, etc G. F. DIPPIE, 17 Mc- Millan St., Toronto, Canada. FOR EXCHANGE :— Jasper Mound Relics, Fossils, War Relics, Old Notes, old time Slave Papers. Wish Copper Cents. Polished Agate, large, also American and Spanish War Relics wanted. H. J. SWENTZEL, 835 W. 6th Street, Wilmington Del. -O'J' Vfe'"M THE OO LOG 1ST EXCHANGE NOTICE — Curiosities, coins, botanical specimens fossils, shells, gas gener- ator, firearms, ammunition, microscopical ob- jects (mounted or unmounted) books and magazines (all subjects: botany conchology, geology, novels, entomology, etc.) to exchange for st.imps, printing press, turning lathe, mi- croscope and accessories. Address with stamp G. R. LUMSDEN, Norwich, Conn. WANT MOUMTED BIRDS Nos. 200, 302, 203, 208, 3^.5. 333, 337. 387. 416. 418, 420, 443, 444, 514, .'i40, 546, bhO, 5f)9. 563. .'■)84. .585, .587. 597. 604, 610, 614, 616, 628. 661, 6S3, 723. 724, 72i, 72<, 749, 7.55 and 756, in exchange for No.s. 4 .59. 112, 139. 130 pair, 131 pair. 132 female. 149 pair, 151, 152, 167, 190, 191, 194, 201, 221 228, 230, 225. 239. 256, 263, 274 and young in down, 360 pair, 367. .368. 373 young in down, 385, 048. 4,58, 468, 615. 632, 683a, 707. 727a, 763, also a Jackdaw. GEO. H. SWEZEY, Bruen Ave., Irvington, N. J. WANTED:— Skeletons and Skulls, all kinds, in rough and mounted, Bird and Mammal Skins, Reptiles and Batrachians in alcohol or formalin. Desire correspondents in all parts of United States, Mexico and Canada. Back numbers of papers on Natural History and sci- entific books wanted. Offer in exchange fifty species finely prepared Invertebrates in forma- lin, eastern bird skins, etc. Correspondence solicited. F. P. DROWNE, 20 Benefit St„ Providence, R. I. FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE:— Eggs, sets and singles. Wanted, books, camera and cash. Vol. 1 complete The Osprey for best offer in cash. W. A. LEE, New Vineyard, Me. FOR SALE:— A foot power band saw and an improved Simplex typewriter for sale cheap, all .in good ordex LOUIS W. HAHN, Lake Avenue, Silver Creek Chautauqua Co., N. Y. FOR SALE:— Clutches of European species. White Gryfalcon, Gryfalcon, Merlin. Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Golden Eagle, Gray Sea Eagle, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, Honey Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon. Hobby Egyptian Vulture. Apply. GORTON, 2 Upper Glouces- ter St., Pendleton, England. 171 CHOICE SETS of White Pelican, Laughing Gull, Willet, Wilson's Plover, Foster's Tern, Clapper Rail Black Skimmer, Green Heron and many others for sale very cheap. M. T. CLECKLEY, 457 Greene St., Augusta, Ga. 164 A FEW good sets for back numbers of Or- nithological publications. J. D. SORNBORG- ER, 101 Hammond St., Cambridge, Mass. WANT to buy for cash or exchange A 1 skins of Sage Grouse, Ptarmigan, rare Warblers. Send lists of what you can collect and cash price for first class skins. Illustrated catalog, 10c. CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worces - ter, Mass. A GLOVE and leather sewing machine. Pea- cock finely mounted ondecorated cherry stand, for Indian relics. Axes, pipes, small western arrow points prefered All answered. Wm. W. RADLEY, Rural, Wis. LOOK:— Relics, $10; L. and F. W. shells, $10; minerals. $10; mounted birds, fossils, others. Want good watch, bicycle or camera. Write, ELLA KELSO, Orting, Wash. CORRESPONDENCE solicited with collect- ors wishing eggs in sets or singles or other Natural History specimens from this section. Address, A. H. W. NORTON, Box 918, San An- tonio, Texas. WANTED:— Eggs in sets with nests of all Warblers, Waders, Vireos and Thrushes. Send list of what you have and cash or ex- change price. Send 10c for large illustrated catalog. GCH AS. K.REED, 75 Thomas St., Wor- cester, Mass. A FEW skins of star-nosed and hairy-tailed mole for other moles or shrews. Birds for smaller mammals. D. D. STONE, I.iansing, N. Y. WANTED:— All lovers of curios to have a set of the following eggs: Snapping Turtle, 2-14 1 16 M7 1-81 1-28 1 26 1-29 1-41. Red-leg Tur- tle 5 6 2 7 2-8 2-9, 3 cents per egg. All first class data. On approval. JAS. O. JOHNSON.South- ington, Conn. COLLECTORS:— If you wish anything in the sporting goods line please let me know your wants. I may sare you money. I have some fine collecting guns at reasonable prices. JAS. O. JOHNSON, Southington, Conn. WANTED:— Al sets of A. O. U Nos. 47, 54, 59, 289, 310, 326, 339b 346. 620. Can offer sets with data. A. H. MILLS, West Rutland, Vermont. FOR SALE:— Hunting Coats, 8 oz. canvass, seven outside pockets and two inside game pockets. Cordurory collar, cuffs lined with cordrury. Made in .34. 36, 38. 40, 42, 44, 46 inch chest measure. For hunting and collecting there is nothing better. Price $2.50 each. I have canvass pants to match coat at $1,65 per pair. Please remit by post office money order or cash. JAS. O. JOHNSON, Southington, Conn. 2000 Iceland and Lapland Birds Eggs For sale or exchange. First class sets with data. Golden Plover, sets of 4, per set $ 75 Northern Phalarope, sets of 4. per set 75 European Snipe, sets of 4, per set 50 Black-tailed Godwit. sets of 4, per set 75 Red-shank Plover, sets of 4, per set 35 Curlew, sets of 4, per set 75 Lapwing, sets of 4, per set 25 Whimbrel, sets of 4, per set 75 Ring Plover, sets of 4, per set 40 Turnstone, sets of 3, per set 1 75 Oystercatcher, sets of 3, per set 40 Rock Ptarmigan, sets of 8, per set 2 00 European Martin, sets of 4, per set 1 00 Gray Sea Eagle, sets of 2, per set _ 2 00 Snowflake, sets of 5, per set 1 25 Red-throated Loon, sets oj 2, per set 60 Fulmar, sets of 1, per set 18 Dovekie, sets of 1, per set I 00 Parasitic Jaegar, sets of 2, per set 40 Kittiwake Gull, sets of 2. per set 25 Mew Gull, sets of 3, per set _ 35 Glaucous Gull, sets of 2 per set 75 Manx Shearwater, sets of 1. per set 25 Cormorant, sets of 4. per set 50 Harlequin Duck, sets of 5. per set 2 25 Old squaw, sets of 7, per set 1 25 Barrow's|Goldeneye. sets of 10, per set 2 50 Great Skua, sets of 2. per set 1 00 Corncrake, sets of 8, per set 70 White Gyrfalcon, sets of 3. per set 7 50 Northern Raven, sets of 4, per set 2 00 Snowy Owl, sets of 5, per set 7 00 Also a lot of single eggs of above. Send for full list. W. RAINE, Waverly Villa, Kew Beach, Toronto, Canada. THE OOLOGIST. FOR SALE: SCALPS AND ANTLEHS OK El^K AND (nOOSE For sale, skins uf Snowy aud Great Hurned Owls, Sharplailed Kuffed Grouse and Prairie hen; Al sliin of While Pelican for f3. Wanted —skin of Osprey, Duck Hawk, Killdeer,Hooded Merganser and sets of these species. CHRIS. P. FORGE, Taxidermist, Carman, Manitoba. p^--„ ^ o 1 1^ • Handsome quarter sawed I OrOdlc* oak, glass top. egg case- new— 97 spaces, nearly that number different kinds, many rare ones— ln7 eggs in all Among them are 348 342, st50, 118, 190, 364, 2. 213, 261. 223, 243, 104, 80. 69, 373, 735, &c.. &c. Whole lot ought to bring $30. Your"s delivered for $15 Also for sale or exchange many choice singles and doubles. Answer quicK if you want this snap— shows up fine on centre table J. J. RY- MAN, Des Moines, la. 1 ostage stamps, cu- riosities, coins Nat- ural History speci- mens (Botanical, shells, insects, fossils, etc.) Mounted and unmounted microscopical ob- jects, gas generators cartridges and books on all subjects ( Uotany. Conchology, Entomology, Geology. Science. Novels, etc.), will take in part payment, if desired, microscope and acces- sories, printing press and turning lathe. Ad- dress with stamp for reply. G. R LUMSDEN Norwich, Conn. Mounted Birds. Screech Owl $ 1 25 Great Horned Owl 3 00 Snowy Owl 8 00 Mallard . .. i 50 Blue-winged Teal 150 American Merganser 1 50 American Golden eye 1 50 1 pair Butfleheads elegantly mounted un- der 18x26 in. Oval Convex Glass shade, well worth 12"). Only 13 00 Four (4) Snow Buntings, winter scene, under 16x22 in. Oval Convex Glass shade. Regular price, $25.00. Only.. 13 00 I can also furnish A fio. i Skins of the following species at only 25 cts. each or five (5) your selection for $1.00: American Crow. American Crossbill, Indigo Bunting. Cedar Wax wing and the following Warblers— lyfourning, Cterulean, Bay-breast- ed. Swalnson's, Canadian, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green. All specimens carefully packed, safe delivery guaranted and shipped by mail, express or freight (cheapest way) at puri;ha.sers expense. Birds in meat. Specimens collected and mounted to order. Over twenty (2)) years ex- perience as a taxidermist. No lists. Corres- pondence solicited from parties meaning busi- ness. Address JOHN RITTENBERG Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. ALBERT D. AKIN, TRUXILLO, HONDURAS, CENTRAL AMERICA. Birds Eggs, Skins, Curios, and Specimens of all kinds. Cash and Exchange. Dealers supplied. MOUNTED BIRDS. Rose Hummer, in round, glass-front wall case, fancy scenery $ 2 00 Albino Robin, head and primaries pure white, balance of plumage, mixed, with perch 2 25 Ruffed Grouse, male i 25 American Crow, on fancy perch i 15 Screech Owl i 10 Bob-white, male 1 15 Short-eared Owl i 65 BIRD SKINS. American Egret, fiat skin, a fev/ plumes .._ 90 Snowflake 12c. each, 5 for 50 American Herring Gull 85 All by express at purchaser's expense. RARE SINGLE EGGS. All eggs sent postpaid. Pine Grosbeak, data Crissal Thrasher" Yellow-billed Magpie _ Red-naped Sapsucker _ Florida Burrowing Owl, data Bendire's Thrasher, data Great Horned Owl, data Short-eared Owl, American, data Willow Ptarmigan Glaucous Gull Krider's Hawk, data Kittawake Gull Black-throated Loon 35 35 15 30 35 20 35 40 a6 25 40 18 65 Collections of singles, listing at $5o. 00 will be sold for only $14.00, prepaid. ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. FOR SALE. 3,000 Birds Eggs From Labrador, Hudson's Bay, Northwest Canada, Mackenzie River and Prybilof Islands, Alaska; Including nests and eggs of Lapland Longspur Gray-cheeked Thrush Smith's Longspur Townsend's Solitaire American Pipit Common Redpoll Horned Lark Hoary Redpoll Pine Grosbeak Tree Sparrow Fox Sparrow White-cr'nedSparrow Canada Jay Canvas-back Duck Labrador Jay Old Squaw Also sets of above without nests as well as fine sets of the following : Holboell's Grebe Red-throated Diver Homed Grebe Ancient Murrelet Least Auklet Red-br'st'dMerganser Glaucous-winged Gull Redhead Lesser Scaup American Scaup Sandhill Crane Little Brown Crane Wilson's Snipe Wilson's Phalarope Yellowlegs Semipalmated Plover Willow Ptarmigan Canada Grouse Sharp tailed Grouse Broad winged Hawk and others. All the above have original data labels, in the handwriting of the various collectors I employ between Labrador and Alaska. Also rare skins for sale. Send for price lists to W. RAINE, Waverly Villa, Kew Beach, Toronto, Canada. THE ()OJ.w(.l^ ! New Minerals. Just in. Fine specimens of any of the follow- ing: Autunite, Emory, Grapliic Granite. Gar- netiferous Granite. Amphibolite, Syenite, Por.. phyry, Tourmaline, Rose Quartz. Smolty Quartz Milky Quartz, Labradorite, Flint, Epi- dote, Williamsite, Leelite, Serpentine, tsphal- eriie' Pyromorphite. Coccolite, Diorite, Biotite, Saprolite, Lepidolite, Clevelandite, Clilorite, Actinolite, Galenite, Pyrite, Green Calcite, Magnetite, Dolomite, Selenite crystal ; Pyritif- erous Nodules: for only 3c each. Larger pieces for only 6c each. All postpaid. 6c pieces aver- age 1^4x1 54. 3c pieces average 1 inch. Thenardite, splendid crosses of this rare min- eral, listed by all dealers at from $1 to $2,at 15c. One-half crosses of same, at 10c. All dealers ask 50c for these. Diamond shapes of same, 8c. Hanksite, perfect buttons of this still rarer mineral such as you have seen listed at 50c to $1 and gone without, for only 1.5c. Clusters of same worth $1.00 and f2.00 for 25c and 35c. Halue,[Cubo octohedron crystals] ; large ones such as sell at .50c to .fl.OO for only 20c. These rare minerals ars a little out of my line and to close out at once. I will send you six of the Thenardites [all different] for .50c, or I will send you the asst. lisred above. [the three varieties, seven specimens,] worth $4.00 and foot- ing up $1 28 at my special rates, for only $1.00. If you are interested, send for lists of Birds Eggs. Fossils, Curios, etc., and all Nat- uralists Supplies Don't.forget this. It may save you money. SCIENTIFIC SHELLS in Collections Lot 1—100 var. prepaid at 84.75. Lot 3—200 var. many rare, at $12.00. Ernest H. Short, Albion N. Y. Marine Curios and Shells. I make a specialty in collecting, pre- paring and selling anything in the line of Marine Specimens obtainable on the Gulf Coast. I sell to the Collector as well as to the Retail, Wholesale and Jobbing trade. J. H. HOLMES, Dunedin, Fla. Marine Shells and Curios. I am now in a position to furnish in quantity all of the best species collected on the Gulf Coast and will be pleased to furnish prices on applica- tion. Best of reference given and satisfaction guaranteed. Collections sent on approval to par- ties giving satisfactory reference. Any not ap- proved can be returned at my expense. Address all orders to A. J. BARNES, Dunedin, Fla. JAMES P. BABBITT, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Taxidermists' Supplies, Bird Skins, Eggs & Publications. Fine Imported Glass Eyes a Specialty. Illustrated Catalogue and large monthly bulle- tin of bargains in Birds Skins and Eggs free upon application. TAUNTON, MASS. Have you tried my process of Rapid Taxidermy? If not you will be gratified by a big .surpri.se. There is money to be made by the preservation of specimens for the market or the school, par- lor, office and den. Any boy. girl or sportsman may learn this method at the first attempt, and decorate the trophies and birds of the neigh- borhood. The cost is next to nothing, and when several go in and work together, there Is no cost. You may make money in any town or the country. On receipt of $i.oo cash or stamps I will send the complete printed instructions to mount Birds. Mammals, Heads, etc , and one pound of the Preservative, ready prepared for the work ; together with complete directions for dressing skins with the hair on, for rugs, robes and hangings, and in adaition I will make the extra icducement of offering the for- mula for making the Preservative Compound, with the privilege of selling the .same. The process will be exchanged for $3 OO worth of stamps, or for other exahange. What have you to offer? Address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. A FREE PATTERN (her own eelectlon)to every subscriber. Beautiful col- ored lithographed platei and UlustratlouB. Original, latest, artistic, exquisite and strictly up-to-date designs. Dressmaking economies, fancy work, household hintt, short stories, ourrent topics, etc. Subscribe to-day. Only &0o. yearly. Lady agents wanted. Send for terms. For ladlea, mlRse?, glr\s and little children. That eei^ tain stylish "chic " effect not attained by the use of any other pattirus. Have no equal for style and perfect flu Easily put together. Only 10 and 16 cents each-nona higher. Sold in nearly every city and town, or by mall. Ask tor tbem. Absolutely very latest up-to-date styles. THE McCALL COMPANY, 188-140 West 14lh Street, .... Sew York City, K. I. T HIS PAPi-R is printeo a' the Book and Magazine Publishing House of A. M. Kl^DY, Albion, N. Y. The Oologist. VOL XVH NO. 1. ALlilON, N. Y., JANUARY, 1900 Whole No. 162 The Oologist. A Montlily Publication Devoted to OOL<.)GY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. FRANK H. LATTIN, Editor and Publisher, ALBION, N. Y. coi respontience and Items of Interest to the stucleul of IJirds, tlieir N't-sts and Eggs, solicited from all. Tf'JKMS UK SUBSCiaPTION: Slnglf subscription noc per annum Sample copies 5c each Tbe above rates Include payment of postage. Each subscriber is given a card good for a Want, Exchange or b'or Sale Notice. (This card Is redeemable at an.y time within one year from date rhereoii.) Subscrlpi Ion'? cau begin with any number. Back nu^nbers of the OoLOGisr can be fiurnlshed at reasonable rates. Sena stamp for descrip- tions and prices. »^Remember that the publisher must be notl fled by letter vfhiu a subscrioer wishes his paper stopped, an't all arrearages must be paid. ADVEHTISING KATES: 5 cents per nonpareil line each Insertion. 1-J lines In every inch. Seven laches In a col- umn, and I wo columns to the page. Nothing Inserted for less than 2> cents. No "special rates," 5 cents per line is "net," "rock bottom," "inside," "spot cash" rate from which there is no deviation and no commission to agents. If you wish to use 5 lines or less space It will cost you ia cents; loo lines, $.5.uO: lOuO lines, fso.oo. "Trade" (other than cash; advertise- ments will be accepted by special arrangement only and at rates trom double to live times cash rates. Due BiUs and Cards payable in advertis- ing will be honored only at regular rates in force at the date ot issuauct^ of said bill or card. Remittances fchuuld be made by Draft, Express or Postofflce Money Order, Registered Letter or Postal Note. Dnustd U.S. Pistage Stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums un- der one dailar. Make Money orders and Drafts payable and address all suoscriptions and com- mimlcatlons to Fit AN K H. LATTIN, Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y. AS ftCOO«0-CLAA3 < A Bird House. In the May and June, 1886 number of the Oologist was an interesting article, "The History of a Bird House," by H. G. Parker. This article, with the fact that I have a particular liking for the Purple Martin [Progne subis) helped to influence the writBr tu erect a bird house in the corner of the yard, in front of nay boyhood homo in Farmington, Me., for the purpose of having a better chance to study thet^e interesting birds that were seen about the place for a few days in the spring, but having no house to go to, went to some dther locality to breed. So in the spring of '87, before the birds arrived, I built a plain white house of good size, with five apartments, and spacious steps before each door for the birds to alight on, and a place to sit on before the door and slug This I made fast to a long pole and placed in the corner of the yard and facing my own rooln that I might sit in the window and look out upon this bouse. The many quarrels I witnessed as well as the cheerful songs I listened to from my window more than repaid me for erecting the house. About the middle of April the house began to make history in the way of a pair of White-bellied Swallows [Tachy- cineta bicolor) that had nested in a hole in the limb of an apple tree in the orchard near by for several years, be- fore coming to this house. Here let me mention that the locality was on the top of large hills, high up, and about one mile from any body of water. This swallow usually nests near a body of water. On the arrival of these swallows they took it for granted that this house was erected for their special benefit, and took possession with very little cere- mony. They began to carry dead gras- ses to the upstairs rent, and later pro- fusely lined the nest with feathers. '6 THE OOLOGIST They completed their nest and were ready to lay their eggs about the first of May, when a pair of Martins came. The Martins seemed to think their cousins, the swallows, were out of place in leav- ing their old site and taking the home that was built for .them, and a quarrel was be^un. The fema'e swallow would sit in the door, and the male perched upon the. top of the house. The Mar- tins circled about the house singing their song usually heard in the early morning. The swallows stood quiet and resolute to defend their house and awaited an attack. Soon the Martins circled near- er and nearer and made an attempt to alight on the house, but were repulsed by the swallows. After one Martin had been prevented from forcing an en- trance the other one would make an at- tack. At first they only swooped near the swallows as if to measure their ad- versary's courage and strength, but after a little manouveriug they would grapple with a swallow and they would flutter over and over each other and fall to the ground, somptimes exhausted. But the swallow would at once return to its door stool ready for another at- tack. Whenever the male swallow would return to his mate he would ca- ress her and chatter away as though tell- ing her he had beaten the Martins. This would take place in the morning, and after two or three hours of hard fought battle the Martins would retire, leaving the swallows in possession of their well defended home. In the afternoon the Martins would return and make a short- er struggle, then leave till the next morning. This struggle went on for about a week and it was difficult to say which would be the victors, but after about a week's struggle the Martins forced several entrances. They did not want the other apart- ments, but that very one the swallows occupied. Soon the swallows tired of the fight, and wishing to rear their young in peace, also feeliii? that the Martin'j wi-rt^ acting the best rf th^m, retired from the s(tene of batl" and im- mediMtely Imilr in th«' oM .^it«' in the apple tree, JeHving thr" Martins to oc- cupy tht-ir newly arquiied pos-^essions They w»'rn vi'iy proud of thf'ir Hoquired domiins. and would sit at the entrance the swallows hud o-iupied and sing as never Martins sang. They did not romnvc nil the nes^t of the swallows, nor did they occupy it, evidently thinking it too downy an af- fair for their use, but built one of coarse grasses, with a small quantitv of mud intermixed, on the wholo a rather coarse structure They reared their young un- molesti^d. In this locality tht-y do not rear but one brood in a season, and leave in August for a warmer clime. The next jear the swallows returned April 17th, and made at once for the bird house. They staid about it, and soon began to build a nest in the apart- ment they had chosen the previous year, and seemingly had forgotten their uu- pleasant evacuation the year before. They wtre very happy in building this nest as usual, and took the same trouble with it, and lined it very neatly as before, and succeeded in laying two eggs before driven out in the same man- ner as the year previous. But they had to go, and as before took up with the old site in the orchard. In the spring of '89 the swallows ar- rived April 16th, and the same story was repeated as in the two years prev- ious. After the Martins had left a be- lated Bluebird [Sialia sialis) built a nest in one of the lower apartments and reared a brood of four young. The spring of '90 the Swallows had f.)ur eggs I'lid. and incubation begun, before the Marlins drove them out. The four eggs I found on the ground beneath the house were the Martins had thrown them. Thus the struggle between these cous- ins went on for the next six years and I THE OOLOGIST began to think the swallows would get discouraged and give up the dispute. But the year of '96 the Swallows came near "holding the fort," the Martins not seeming to have the determination to win which they had previously shown. But iu '97 the tables were turn- ed and the swallows carried th>', day, and the Martins left for parts unknown. The year '98 but a few days' struggle took place and the Martins left as in the year before. Last year the Martins ap- peared, but made but little effort to gain their old home. Several times during the early years of this bird house the Bluebirds that nested in the orchard ma^ie a little fuss with the swallows. But the acts of the Bluebirds seemed more like their usual Inquisitiveness, a habit they have of peering into every knot hole or cavity that they spy out. The Bluebirds were determined to peer into the apartments and would sometimes sit on the step outside and warble for a short time, then fly away. The swallows resented this, and sometimes a lively contest took place; but I do not believe the Blue- birds intended to monopolize the swal- lows' nesting site. Twice I tried to end the contest be- tween the swallows and Martins by re- moving the nest of the swallows, and thus help the Martins as I wanted the Martins to occupy the house, knowing that the swallows would nest in the orchard. Thus I could keep both birds about the place. But this did not help the Martins, for the swallows stuck to the place as determinedly as before un- til driven out. This fall the strong winds blew the house down, but this does not I hope end the history, as my younger brother has re-erected it, and I hope to record further history of this house that has brought me so much pleasure and thought, for several years to come, as I spend part of my vaccation on the place. J . Merton Swain, Portland, Me., Dec. 16, 1899. Louisiana Water-Thrush. This shy and interesting bird arrives in this locality on the last days of April or early in May and almost immediate ly begins to build its nest. It was in the early morning of May 21, 1899, that [ mounted my wheel and took a spin over the hill to the mouth of a large gilly, where I dismounted. Just over a large waterfall a Water- Thrush left the bank and flaw up the stream as I came along. Going to the place she flow from I saw, placed in a little hole under the overhanging bank, a pretty net of dried leaves deeply cupped and lined with dead pine leaves, grass and rotlets. It; contained six eggs of a creamy white, thickly spjtt>^d with several shades of reddish brown and they were within a few hours of hatching. The bird kept out of sight in the bushes along the bank, but I could tell where she was for she contin- ually sounded her alarm note, a sharp metallic chink, chink. But fla lly she came out in plain sight. On 'Up the gully in a secluded spot I saw a Water-Thrush, evidently her mate, sitting on a limb which was hang- ing over the water and he was singing such a wild spiritous song as I have heard from no other bird of my ac- quaintance. This song is one of the very best of bird songs and heard in the deep gully with the accompaniment of the running water there is nothing to compare with it. Leaving this gully I went across the valley to another gully. Soon I heard the chink of a Water-Thrush and saw him running, teetering along the stream and pecking about nervously. Advancing cautiously I saw the female sitting on her nest in a hole in the bank. What a pretty picture she made as she sat looking timidly at me, until her fear getting the better of her, she flow to her mate, who had been trying his best to draw me away from the nest. THE OOLOGIST. There were tive yung of nearly a week in the nest, which was of dead leaves, mos^ and hemlock twi?^, lined with rootlets Retiring a short distaace I watched the old birds They ran about, up and down before the nest, teetering all the time and drawing ne-irer to the nest each time until suddenly thd female flew to the nest, staying but a moment then joined her mate again. After a little she fl-jw to the nest again st lying but a mom'jnt a^ before. Taen both birds fl'jw up and around me going down ihe stream. On up tha gully I Siw another bird and soon found another uest, situated like the other iu a little hole in the bank. It contained three eggs and two young just out of the shell. Going up stream about 40 feet I sat down to await developments. The female soon returned to the nest and tbe male came around near me. He had a worm in his bill and suddenly he Hew to the nest but away again almost iuatautly, then after a little ha flow to the nest again where he remained for some time. He stood on the edge of the nest poking his bill into the female's mouth, then glancing at me and teetering all of the time. After leaving the nest he flew to the ground quite close to me and then away he went after another choice morsel for his m'ite. I found another nest June 2d which was under a Uttle ledge formed by some roots and dead leaves beside a very small bush on the gully bank onyl three feet from the running water. The nest contained five fresh eggs and the female acted much as the others did. About a week after this I was in a large swampy wood and Water-Thrush- es were real common. We met several families. The young ones were just learning to fly and were closely watch- ed by the old birds. Verdi Burtch, Penu Yan, N. Y. The Brown Creeper Certhia familiaris americana, Ridgw. It always afforded me great pleasure while rambling in early spring through the woods to observe one of our liveli- est little Creepers start at the foot of a large tree ami run in zJgz ig line^ to al- most the [.top of the trte. If he sees that he is observed he keeps on the off side of the tree instead of running up in spiral form, all the time scrutinizingly searching in the cracks of the bark for the tinv eggs of insects on which he lives. The strong tail feathers, similar to those of the Woodpecker, support his weight and the slightly curved and very tender but extremely sharp bill makes it easy for him to secure his prey. The bill, however, is not strong enough, as is that of the Woodpecker, to tear away the bark and chop holes in it to get at the worm.s, the borers and larva of the insect'^. While going over the different trees in search of food I hear him utter: "Zri, zri, zri" or "sit, sit, sit.'' These notes are only heard during the mating season The Brown Creeper is an expert climber and always watchful, search- ing every tree in his district from morn to night for food, Oa arriving at the top of a tree he invariably tiies down to the next tree near the ground to repsiat Ms upward search. It seemed very difficult for me to find the nest and I also \v;is in doubt wheth- er the Brown Creep^u' breeds in this lo- cality. In the first week in May, 1899, I was fortunate enough, I)y watching a pair of Brown Creepers in the Tona- wanda Swamp, to sea one step into a loop formed by the bark of an elm stump about 15 feet from the ground. I saw that the birds had started build- ing the nest, but both being diligently in search of nesting material, I con- cluded not to climb to the nest but to wait a week and I was rewarded. A week later I found the male near the THE OOLOGIST. ;52.75for ;§1. During the year 1900 I will mall every person sending me $1.00 for a year's subscription to The Oologist, _ _ their selection from publications, spec- imens &c. "mentioned in this Premium LTst to the amount of $2.00 and The Oologist one year Including a card good for one Want. Exchange or For Sale Notice. Make a combmation with a Wend-you tike the premiums, he The Oologist ot vice versa Subscribers desirmg to purchase additional nremiums can do so in lots netting 50c or over at ow«-Aa«/ prices quoted „. _„ NEW SUBSCRiBBRS are always in demand and for each an old one may secure premiums '^ 'll^tTmlTcl"TeSeIt''^ilnev'Ll do not send sums of $1.00 or over loose in your letter. All premiums are sen*- PREPAID. Address all orders plainly and in full. FRANK H. LATTIN, Publisher, ALBION, N Y. BIRDS EGGS; Singles. Mew Gull 35 Western Gull 40 3kua '^5 California Brown Pelican.. 1 00 Snowy Heron la Louisiana Heron 15 Little Blue Heron _ 15 American Coot 10 Oystercatcher - 35 Curlew 75 Swainson's Hawk 50 Kingbird , - 05 Purple Grackle 05 Florida Grackle 15 Brewer's Blackbird 05 Purple Martin "5 Loggerhead Shrike 10 Bell's Vireo 15 Royal Tern 50 Red-breasted Merganser... 50 Shoveller 50 Northern Eider 50 White-faced Glossy Ibis... 1 00 Wood Ibis 1 00 Great Blue Heron 40 Green Heron 15 Bl'k-crowned Night Heron 15 Red-necked Phalarope 75 American A vocet 50 Black-necked Stilt 50 Whimbrel 50 Lapwing '^0 Killdeer 20 Bob-white _ 10 Willow Ptarmigan 1 00 Ring Pheasant ... 35 Mourning Dove 05 Burrowing Owl 20 Florida Burrowing Owl 1 25 Road-runner 25 Golden-fr'ted Woodpecker 50 Cassin's Kingbird _ 25 Mexican Horned Lark 75 American Crow 10 Fish Crow 35 Starling - 10 Red-winged Blackbird 05 Tri-colored Blackbird _ 15 Orchard Oriole 05 Boat-tailed Grackle 15 House Finch _ 05 Gray-tailed Cardinal 35 Painted Bunting 10 Yellow-breasted Chat 10 Meadow Pipit _ 10 Bewick's Wren 85 Mockingbird 05 Brown Thrasher 05 Red-leg Turtle. in Moorhen 15 Mute Swan 2 00 European House Sparrow 05 European Tree Sparrow.. 15 European Blackbird 05 European Redstart 05 European Robin 10 Golden crowned Kinglet... 1 00 Jackdaw 15 Rook 15 White-throat 05 Chaffinch 05 Greenfinch 05 Yellow Bunting _ 05 Hedge Sparrow 10 Song Thrush 05 Missell Thrush 10 Sand Martin - 05 Willow Warbler 10 Sets. Gannet, 1-1 - 50 Green Heron' 1-4 60 Bl" k - crow' d Night Heron 1 -3 45 Killdeer 1-4 80 Bell's Vireo 1-4 60 Yellow-breasted Chat 1-4... 40 Brown Thrasher. 1-4 20 American Crow, 1-5 50 Lapwing. 1-4 - 80 Painted Bunting, n-5 7.t Fulmar 1 1 $ 75 Mourning Dove 1-2 10 Boat-tailed Grackle 1 3 ... 45 Red-winged Blackbird l-4_ 10 Tri-colored Blackbird 1-4. 60 Orchard Oriole 1-5 30 European Blackbird, 1-4 .. 25 Yellow Bunting, 1-3 20 Chaffinch. 1-5 _ 3ii Greenfinch, 1-5 30 Redstart, 1-5 30 Song Thrush, 1-4 25 White-throat, 1-5 30 05 50 05 05 75 50 Giant Fasciolaria, young.. 10 Wvilgur perversa, young 10 Lettered Olive, Fla 5, 10, 25 Inflated Olive. Singapore -5, 10 Spider Web Olive, ^al... 5, 10, 25 KiceShells,Fla.Keys,12for "^ Harp Shell, Ceylon Dove Shell, Jamaica 3 for. Thunder Storm Shell 2 for Lettered Cone, Ceylon 35 Marbled Cone. Polynesia Virgin Cone, Mauritius... 35, 75 Miles' Soldier. Ceylon 50 Fighting Shell, Gulf Mex. 25 Silverlip Mauritius 15, 25 Orange Scorpion. Poly 25 Violet-mouth " Molucas ... 1.00 Pelican's Foot, Med. Sea.. 05 Ringed Cowry, Singapore 05, 10 Snake head Cowry Aus...05, 10 Money Cowry Ceylon 05,10 Mole Cowry, Zanzibar..., 2-5 50 SEA SHELLS. Worm Shell. Gulf Mex $ 25 Ark Shell. Gulf Mex 15 Bubble Shell - 05 Helix Zebuensis, Philip'nes 85 Helix fldeles. Oregon 25 Quoit Shell {V2) 05 Magpie, Bahamas 15,35 Many lined Buiimulus 05 E. I. Clam C/j) - 15 Neritina reclivata. Fla _ 5, 10 Stair Case Cerithidea, Fla. 10 Angel Wing (>«) - 10 Bulirnulus Bahamaensis 10 Scarabus pyramidatu.'i.Gva. 10 Achatinellaolivaceajidiw'ii 10 «piri20«a. Hawaii 10 uniplicata,li\\.'''M\ 10 Calf Cowry, Australia 10, 25 Gnawed Cowry, Australia 5, 10 Cauri Cowry, Australia 5, 10 Crown Shell, Gulf Mex 15 Filleted Shell, Gulf Mex.. 15 Spiral Shell, Hayti 10 Rock Murex, Fla 85 Thornv-nosed Murex 10 , 85 Pink Murex, L. Calif 75 Black Murex. Panama .. 25, 75 White Murex, Zanzibar.. 25 Scorched Murex, Bahamas 10 Woodcocli Murex. China_ ."^O Leaf-back " Med.Sea 15, 25 Japanese Ehurna 25 Fish Basket, Japan 2 for, 05 Foxhead, Singapore ^ Tiger Cowry, Australia.... Rye Shell. Bahamas Poached Egg. Fiji Hump-backed Egg. W. I... Porcelain RumpSh'll.Bah, Paper Shell. Fla Boat Shell. Mass 35 05 25 10 . 05 . 25 05, 10 Screw Shell. Calif 10, 25 Yellow Pea,England. 2 for 05 Brown Snail, Mauritius... 05 Tower Shell. Cuba, 2 for... 05 Bloody Tooth, W. I 05, 10 White Tooth. Tortugas . 05, 10 Zeora Shell, Na.ssau. 6 for 05 Wheel Shell. Japan, 2 for_ 05 Goldmouth, Philippines ...15, a5 Venetian Snail, Med., 6 for 05 Black Ear, Calif 35 Keyhole Limpet, Bah 05 Owl Limpet. Pacific 15 BanddTreeSnail.Cuba .5, 15, 25 Black-mouth' "5, 10, 15, 85, 35,50 Hunch- back Partula 05 Little Agate Shell, Hawaii 10 Pea Nut Shell. Cuba. 3 for 05 Banded Melampus 3 for.._ 05 Mermaid Cradle. Pacific... 25 Sun Shell (pair;. VV. 1 15 Pacific Scallop (i/j) Calif... 15 .Jewel Shell (;4) Australia. 10 Jingle Shell, Mass., 2 for. 05 Venus Shell, Calif - 25 Thorney Chama. Bahamas 15 SEA CURIOS. Tail of King Crab 5, 15, 25 Brown Scaley Gorgonia _ Bahamas 15, 35 Finger Coral, Hayti 15 Red Coral. Sandwich Is 10, 25 Pink Coral. Samoa 10, 25, 3n Spike Coral, Bahamas 10,25 Rose Coral, W. I 20 Mushroom Coral. Gulf Cal. 85 Propeller Coral. BahamaslO, 25 Branch Coral. E. I ...5. 10, 15 Organpipe •• S'ngapore...-10, 2.t Precious Coral, Med. Sea. 2d THE OOLOGIST. '$2.75 for $1" OOLOGIST PREMIUM LIST, Continued. Frank H. Lattin, Publisher, Albion, N. Y. Golden Sea. Fan, Pacific. . 75 Yellow Sea Fan, Nassau. 25, 50 Purple SeaFern.KeyWest 75 Armor Starfish. Panama. 50 Compass Starfish, Chili... 25, 50 Golden Starfish, Pacific 50,1.00 Clubsplned Urchin l-iah 25 Giant Purple do, Pac 50, 1.00 SpinedPur.Urchin.G.Mex. 25 Key-hole Urchiu, G. Mex. 25 Philippian Urchin, Phil .15, 25 Curio Sponge, Bahamas . 25 Egg Case Periwinkle 15, 25 Acorn Barnacles, Pacific .15, 25 Sea Horse, Med. Sea 50 Sea Horse. Pac 50 Pipe Fish (very fine) Pac. 1 50 Skate or Sand Shark Egg 05 Hermit Crab in Shell.. ..25, 50 Luck Tooth of Cod. Atlan. 05 "Eye Stone," Gulf of Mex 05 Alligator Teeth, Fla .. 5, 10, 25 Tarpon Scales, 2 for 05 FOSSILS. Dlatomaceous Earth, rich in Polycystina, Barbad- oes, 1 dcum 25 Baculites, section, Dak... 50 Criuoid Stem, Ind _ 25 Belemnites. section, N J .. 10 Bhynchonella capax, Ind. 05 Polyp Coral, N. Y 10, 25 Shark Tooth, Va 5, 10, 15, 25 Spirifer varicosa, Ind 10 " Oweni, Ind 25 Pentremites Godoni, Ky..._ 10 Anchocrinus bulbostis,InA. 25, 50 Atrypa reticularis, Ind 25 Afhyris vitata. Ikd 05 Scaphites nodosus, Montana 10, 25, 50, 1.00 MINERALS Zircon Xtals 35 Ferruginous Quartz, dbly. term Xtals _ 35 Halite Xtals, faceted cubo- octohedron 75 Hanksite, button Xtals 25, 75 Thenardite Xtals 3.5, 35 crosses... 50 Barite Xtals. Bad Lands... 35 Tourmaline Xtals, N. Y...25, .50 Satin Spar, England 10, 25 Calcite Xtals, England 25, 50 Quartz Xtals, Ark 2.5, 50, 1.00 Malachite and Azurite, Ariz 25 Cone-in-Cone, N. Y 10, 25, 50 Dog-tooth Spar, N. Y 25 Pearl Spar, N. Y 25 Iceland Spar.. .. | 10 Pryope Crystal, Dak 10 Chiastolite Crystal. Calif.. 10 ■•Electric" Stone, N. Y 25 Coquina, Fla 10, 25 Chalcedony Geode, Dak 35 Green Fluorspar, N. Y.. 10, 25 Native Lodestone, Ark.. 10, 25 Mexican Onyx 10, ys GEM STONES; Cut and Polished Semi-prec- ious Stones Sard Intaglio .: $ 10 Opals 15, 25, 50 Red Onyx 10 Black Onyx 10 Crocidolite (Tiger Eye)... 10,25 Lapis Lazuli 15,25 Chalcedony 10,25 Tinted Chalcedony 15 Tree Chalcedony _ 10, 25 Red Ribbon Agate_ 5, 10, 25 Black Ribbon Agate 5, 10, 25 Moss Agate 10, 25 Wood Agate 15 Fossil Coral 10,25 Bloodstone 15,25 Succinite (Amber) Baltic 25 MISCELLANEOUS. 10 big U.S. copper rents, different dates('30's-'.50's)$l 00 V-Nickel, "83, without word "cents" 25 Brazilian Beetle 25 Nest of Painted Bunting, 35 Black Sea Bean, W.I 05 Yellow Sea Bean, W. 1 05 Chinese Coin 05 Horn Nut, China 05 Liver Bean, Bahamas 10 Brown banded Sea Bean. . 0'' Red Sea Beans W. I, 2 for 05 Big Tree Bark, Cal 25 Gun Flint. Revolutionary. 25 Resurrection Plant, Mex.. 15 Tapa Cloth (bark) Samoa. 10 Clay Police Whistle. Mex. 10 Cuban Stamps, 7 var 25 Sheet 25 selected Ic stamps 25 " " '■ 2c " 50 Arrowhead Ark ..... 10 Skin of Snow Bunting 40 BIRD, ANIMAL a-d FLOWER PICTURES: f^^^Sl 'or to decorate your study, "den," office, library, school room, etc., etc. Beautiful and correct r - productions in colors. Well worth many times our price. Size of pictures t5x8" In. with Ys in. margin for framing. Only 6 cents each, prepaid. List of the pictures we can furnish: BIRDS. Anhinga. American Avocet. Red-winged Blackbird. Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird. Bobolink 3. Indigo Bunting. Lazuli Bunting. Painted Bunting. Cardinal. Catbird NE. American Crossbill 2. Chickadee. Canvas-back. Yellow-breasted Chat American Crow. Yellow-billed CuckooNE. Mourning Dove. Wood Duck. Bald Eagle. American Flamingo. Flicker. Scissortailed Flycatcher Vermillion Flycatcher. American Goldfinch. White-fronted Goose. Bronzed Grackle. Pied-billed Grebe 2. Evening Grosbeak. Rose-breasted " 2 NE Ring-billed Gull. Marsh Hawk Snowy Heron. Allen's Hummingbird 2 N Ruby-throated " Ai-izona Jay. Blue Jay. Slate-colored Junco. Kingbird Belted Kingfisher. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Horned Lark. Smith s Longspur. Mallard 3. Meadowlark NE. Red-breasted Merganser. Mockingbird. Nighthawk E. White-breastedNuthatch. Baltimore Oriole N. American Osprey. Great Horned Owl. Screech Owl. Gambel's Partridge 3. Wilson's Phalarope 2 Golden Pheasant. Ring Pheasant. Phoebe NE. Wood Pewee NE. Belted Piping Plover 3. Ring Plover. American Robin. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker White- winged Scoter. Loggerhead Shrike N, Skylark. Snowflake. Sora. English Sparrow. Song Sparrow NE. Barn Swallow NE. Chimney Swift NE, Scarlet Tanager. Summer Tanager. Green-winged Teal. Black Tern 2 E Brown Thrasher. Hermit Thrush. Wood Thrush. Yellow-bllledTropicBird3 Wild Turkey. Turnstone. Verdin N. Warbling Vireo. Yellow-throated Vireo Turkey Vulture 2. Yel'ow-legs. Blackburnian Warbler. Black-and-white Warbler. Cerulean Warbler. Kentucky Warbler. Prothonotarv " 2 NE. Yellow Warbler NE. American Woodcock. California Woodpecker. Red-headed Woodpecker. House Wren N. Long-billed Marsh Wren 2 Baldpate. Least Bittern. Bob white. A uerlcan Coot Brown Creeper. Dickcissel 2 N E. Black Duck. Purple Finch. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher i-J Canada Goose. Dusky Grouse 8. American Sparrow Hawk Great Blue Heron. White-faced Glossy Ibis. Arkansas Kingbird. Brunnich's Murre. Old squaw. Oven bird. Saw-whet Owl. Short eared Owl. Mountain Partridge. Scaled Partridge 2. Wilson's Peirel. Silver Pheasant. Passenger Pigeon. Pintail •■i. Snowy Plover. Lesser Prairie Hen 2. Bartramian Sandpiper. Fox Sparrow. Roseate Spoonbill. Black-necktd Stilt. Red-eyed Vireo. tiay-breasted Warbler. Magnolia Warbler. Arctic '1 hree-toed Wood- pecker. Downy Woodpecker. Ivory billed Woodpecker. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Loon Tufted Puffin Hummingbirds (3) American Herring Gull Bonaparte's Gull Caspian Tern Common Tern Hooded Merganser 1 Redhead THE OOLOGIST. "$2.75 for $1" OOLOGIST PREMIUM LIST, Continued. Frank H. Lattin, Publisher, Albion, N. Y. American Golden-eye Sandhill Crane Wilson's Snipe Pectoral Sandpiper Least Sandpiper American Golden Plover Prairie Hen Prairie Sharp- ta'dGroiise California Vulture Red shouldered Hawk American Barn Owl Whip-poor-will Cedar Waxwing Golden-winged Warbler Nashville Warbler Bl'k-throated BlueW'rb'r Blue-wingedYellow W'b'r Myrtle Warbler Chestnut sided Warbler Mourning Warbler Grinnell's Water-Thrush Western Yellow-throat Tutted Titmouse Feather changing Green to Yellow. Red Bird of Paradise. Cock-of-the-Rock. Mandarin Duck. Black Grouse. European Kingfisher. Blue Mountain Lory. Mexican Mot Mot Golden Oriole. Australian GrassParaket King Parrot. Japan Pheasant. Swallow-tailed Ind- Roller Red-rumped Tanager. Resplendent Trogon 2. Yellow-throated Toucan Rose Cockatoo. Nightingale. Yellow-head Parrot. Crowned Pigeon. South American Rhea. Black Swan. King Bird of J'aradise. ANIMALS. Black Wolf Red Squirrel Gray Rabbit American Oceolot Coyote Pox Squirrel Red Fox Mountain Sheep Racco )n Pigmy Antelope Gray Fox Gray Squirrel Peccary Bottle-nosed Dolphin Armadillo Brown and Red Bat American Otter Canadian Porcupine African Lion Flying Squirrel Skunk Chimpanzee Puma Snapping Turtle Northern Hare Ground Hog Mole Baboon Hairy-tailed Mole Crab-eating Opossum Geographic Turtle Duck billed Platipus, Kangaroo Hoary Bat Swift Fox Hyrax FLOWERS &c. Apple Blossom Golden Rod Flowering Almond Cacti Lemon Nuts (8 var) Ginger Cocoanut, &c Pineapple Cloves Azalea Nutmeg English Grapes Hyacinth Coffee Cineraria Books, Publications, etc. A "Want, Exchange and For Sale" No- tice or Coupon good for one in the OOLOGIST i One inch advertisement in Oologist The OOLOGIST, 1892, cloth bound, 268 p The OOLOGIST, a package of 20 all differ- ent back numbers, my selection The Oologist, a package of 40 all differ- ent back numbers, my selection Do do do, seventy The Ornithologist and Oologist Semi- An- nual, 6 Nos. ('89 '93) 27.5p, 4 P Natural Science News, 25 issues, all dif- ferent Natural Science News, Vol. I and II, complete, 268p _ Natural Science News, 50 issues, all differ- ent : The Nidologist, 5 copies (with colored plate of a set of four White-tailed Kite Eggs) .t The Nidiologist, 4 Nos., Vol. I, 64p, 19 half-tones The Nidiologist Vol. II complete, 174p, 60 half-tones, Col. PI. of set White-tailed KiteEggs The Nidiologist, Vol. Ill, complete, 150p, 37 half tones, also full page group of 41 members A. O. U The Nidologist Vol. IV, complete, llSp, 26 half-tones. Col. PI. of Nest and Eggs of Western Evening Grosbeak The Nidiologist, 20 copies, our selection, no duplicates The Ornithologist and Oologist (Boston) Vol. XVI ('91) complete, 184p Forestry, etc. A Popular Account of the Trees of Michigan and Their Uses. Beal, 24 p _ Trees, Shrubs and Vines of Missouri, Bush, 46p Birds of Michigan, Cook, 168p, 100 Fig .... Locuts and the Horn Fly, Davis, 6p, ills. The Ainos of Yezo, Japan, Hitchcock, 74p, 65 PI, 21 Fig The Ancient Pit-Dwellers of YezO, Japan, Hitchcock, 12p, 8P1, 4 Fig _ 25 60 1 50 50 1 00 2 00 1 00 50 S 00 1 00 50 50 2 00 2 00 1 50 2 00 3 00 25 25 1 50 15 1 85 25 Fire-making Apparatus, Hough, 58p, 8 PI. 60 Fig 60 The Genus Uncinula, Drawings and De- scriptions of all American species, Kelsey. 26p,l0 Fig _ 25 White Line Engraving for Relief Print- ing, Koehler. lOp. 4 PI. 3 Fig 20 Standard Catalogue of North American Birds LOggs, Lattin 70p 10 Prothonotary Warbler, Loucks. 28p 25 The Ulu or Woman's Knife of the Eski- mo, Mason. 6p, 21 PI 60 Merrill, Geognosy. The Materials of the Earth's Crust. 90p, 12 PI, 10 Fig 80 Penikese, (a reminiscent sketch of Agas- siz famous summer school, 96p, PI 25 Riley, Packard and Thomas 3d Report U. S. Entomological Commission with special reference to the Rocky Moun- tain Locust, Army Worm, Canker Worm, Hessian Fly and Scientific Re- sults, 450p, 64 CI 3 00 Birds of Western New York, Short, 20p. . 10 Natural History of Labrador, Steams, 74p, 14 Fig I 00 Directions for Collecting Minerals, Tas- sin, 12p_ _ 05 The Log of the "Savannah," Watkins, 32 p, 6 PI _ 60 Anthropology at the Paris Exposition in 1889, Wilson, 40p, 7 PI 40 Bibliography of North American Inverte- brate Paleontology, White and Nich- olson, 132p 1 25 Butterflies and Moths, set of six, 6x8 col- ored plates, true to nature showing 42 species 75 Birds' Eggs, set of three colored plates, Illustrating forty-nine (49) common species, full size, true to nature 60 Golden Pheasant, beautiful colored pic- ture true to nature, natural scene, almost life size, on cardboard, 19x25 in_ 1 50 The Cowblrds, Bendire, 38p, 3 PI 50 Pets of the Household, Their Care in Health and Disease, Earl, 160p, 35Fig- 35 Animals and Birds Recently Extinct Lucas, 42p, 11 PI. 8 Fig, 7 maps 1 00 THE OOLOGIST. '$2.75 for $1 ' OOLOGIST PREMIUM LIST, Continued. Frank H. Lattin, Publisher, Albion, N. Y. The Weapons and Wings of Birds, Lucas, 12p, PI, 8 Pig Comparative Oology of North American Birds, Shufeldt, 38p Recent Advances in Museum Method (Cases, Specimen Mounts, Exhibition Jars, Labels, Installation. Taxidermy, Groups, &c.), Goode, 58,), MPl 1 Museums of the Future, Goode, 20p The Genesis of the National Museum, Goode,108p The Preservation of Museum specimens. Hough, lOp. 5 Fig If Public Libraries, Why not Public Mus- uems? Morse, 12p _ How to Collect Mammal Skins for Study and Mounting Purposes, Hornaday, 12p, 9 Fig - - West Indian Seal, True and Lucas, 6p, 3 PI 35 75 75 20 30 25 Spotted Dolpin, True, 8p, 6 PI 25 Florida Muskrat, True, 6p, 3 PI 25 The Puma, or American Lion, True. 18p, PI 35 Meteorite Collection of NationalMuseum, Clarke, 12p, PI _ 25 Gem Collection of National Museum, Kunz, lOp 25 Preliminary Geological Handbook (Na- tional Museum). Merrill, 50p 40 The Onyx Marbles, Merrill, 48p, 18 PI 75 Building and Ornamental Stones, Mer- rill, 372p, 9P1, 30 Fig _ 2 00 The Relation of Biology to Geological In- vestigation, White, r24p, PI 75 A Trip to Manitoba, Pitz-Gibbon,267p 1 00 Draft of a Classiflcation for World's Fair, Goode, 88p _ 40 Preparation of Microscopical Mounts of Vegetable Textile Fibres Hitrhc'k, 2p 20 Textile Fibres and Fabrics, Deering, 6p... 20 Development of American Rail and Track, Watkins, 58p, 115 Fig . 40 Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, Culin, 50p, 12 PI, 33 Fig 50 The National Game of Africa, Culin, 14p. 5 PI, ]5 Fig 35 The Bronze Buddha, DeKay, ISp, PI 20 Ceramic Art in China, Hippisley, 106p 50 Mythology of Japanese, Hitchcock, 23p 20 Korean Collections in National Museum, Hough, 60p, 30P1 100 Korean Mortuary Pottery, Jouy, 8p, 7 PI, map 25 Artificial Deformation of Children, Por- ter, 24p _ 20 The Wooden Statute of Nasouke, Satoh, 4p, PI 20 Japanese Wood-cutting and Printing, Tokuno & Koehler, 24p, 10 PI, 5 Fig... .W The Golden Patera of Rennes, Wilson, lOp, PI, Fig SO Ethnological Collections from Kilima, Njaro, Africa, Abbott, 48p, 24 Fig 35 Two Persepolitan Casts, Adler, 6p, 2P1 20 Collections of Religious Ceremonials, Ad- ler, 14p 30 The Shofar, Its Use and Origin. Adler, 14p, 4 PI 85 Prehistoric Naval Architecture, Boehmer, 122p, 16 PI, 127 Fig 1 S5 Catalogue of Eskimo Collection in Na- tional Museum, Bolles,'i32p 20 75 20 76 1 £0 1 50 75 50 1 50 75 The Crump Burial Cave, Burns, 4p, PI 20 Ancient Burial Mounds of Japan, Hitch- cock, 14p, 31 PI _ Some Ancient Relics in Japan, Hitchcock, 2p, 4 PI Primitive American Armour, Hough, 28p, 28 PI, 5Fig 1 00 Fire-making Apparatus, Hough, 58p. 8 PI, 60 Fig _ Primitive Methods of Drilling, McGulre, 134p, 201 Fig Aboriginal Basket-work, Mason, 16p, 64 PI The Human Beast of Burden, Mason, 60p, 54 Fig Cradles of American Aborigines, Mason, 52p, 45 Fig Aboriginal Skin Dressing, Mason, 38p,33Pl Throwing sticks. Mason, 12p, 17 PI Primitive Travels and Transportation, Mason. a58p, 25 PI, 260 Fig 3 00 Eskimo Bows, Murdoch, lOp, 12 PI 50 Indians of the Northveest Coast, Niblack, 16vip, 70 PI, 300 Fig, 2 maps 3 00 Notes on the Ethnology of Tibet, Rock- hill, 84p, 53 PI 150 A Study of Primitive Money, Stearns, 38p, 9 PI, 32 Fig 75 Ethnology of Easter Island, Thompson. 106p, 49 PI, 20 Fig 8 00 A Study of Prehistoric Anth^-opology, Wilson, 76p, 20 PI, 287 Fig 2 00 Minute Stone Implements from India, Wilson, 6p, 2 PI _ 20 Ancient Indian Matting, Wilson, 4p,Pl 20 The Paleolithic Period of the Stone Age, The Existence of Man in North Amer- ica durinir, Wilson, 36p, 28 Fig The Swastika, Wilson, 2.56p,-25Pl, 374 Fig An Account of the U. S. National Mus- eum, True, 38p Antiquity of the Red Race in America, Wilson, 8p _ Prehistoric Art, Wilson, 340p, 24pl,325 fig.. Biblical Antiquities, Adler & Casanowicz, 82p. 46pl 150 The Social Organisation and the Secret Societies of The Kvi^akintl Indians, Boas, 438p, 51 pi., SlSflg 4 00 Chess and Playing Cards, Culver, 278 p 50pl, 2.'6fig 3 00 Graphic Art of the Eskimos, Hoffman, 330p, 182pl, 154tig 3 50 Lamps of the Eskimo, Hough, 34p, 24pl, 4 fig The Ontonagon Copper Bowlder, Moore, lOp, 2pl Geology and Natural History of Lower California, Merrill, 26p, lUpl Mineralogical Collections in the Nation- al Museum, Tassm, 6p, Ipl 20 The Tongues of Birds, Lucas,20p, 3pl,13Qg 50 Taxidermal Methods in the Leyden Mus- eum, Shufeldt, 8p, 6pl 60 ^^The following are included in our "$2.75 lor $1.00" offer but are shipped at purchaser's expense unless the necessary amount Is added to cover '-prepaid'' expenses: Ostrich Egg, Africa $150 (Ostrich Eggs can be sent prepaid for 30 cents.) Emde Egg, New Zealand $2 50 (Emue Eggs a&ax prepaid for 20 cents.) 50 3 00 35 20 4 00 1 00 20 75 THE OOLOGIST 9 nest. He uttered no notes but rau up and down the nearby trees so as to be close to the nest. By quietly watching ing I found that the loop of the bark was about 5 inches wide and in all about 6 or 7 inches long. All of the lower part was filled with a few small dry leaves, little twlg-i, the thickest like a knitting needle protrudintj about an inch on both sides of the loop, then a layer of fine soft piec-s of bark, and interlined wiLh plant tibers and wool and fine feathers. The cap of the nest, about an inch wide and four inches broad, was liaed with the finest and softest down. To my joy the nest con- tained 6 small clear while egt^s, spotted with rdddisli i)rown, mostly ai'ound'the larger end, 3 in form of a wi>-ath and 3 with large spots. I have nest and eggs in my collection and prize them highly. A week later I took a nest of Chicka- dee containing 8 eggs, and if 1 find time in the near future will give a descrip- tion of same. As far as I know no de- scriptioa of these two species from this loeality has appeared in priut. Ed. Reinecke, Buff.ilo, N. Y. "The Oolog-ist's Association." Circulars are out relative to a pro- posed meeting of the members of the OoLogist's Assjciation. This met-tiug will occur th« present year if the plans of its promotors arn successfully car ried our, ami I biocorely hope ihat there will be a reproseaMcivt; gtfchering of the 80 ca,llB.i Ooljgists of America. Every bird lover lu the United States has interests at stake in this forthcoming meet and all are interes'ed in the points to be discussed. But, Mr. Editor, ihnrH are many points at variance betweea the true lovers of birds and the so-called oolo gists, who in the main m ly much better be called "egg collectors" and in many cases ''crank collectors" without a particle of scientific interest. There are, most unfortunately, far too many cheap collectors of eggs, or wealthy buyers of their collections who have next to no knowledge of ornithol- ogy, and who think that the whole in- terest centers in amassing a lot of sets of bird's eggs with ihe accompanying data. Out of this class of fad collectors I say, if 1 had it in my power to pre vent this indiscriminate collecting of eggs and amassing of large collections for private use 1 should make the pow- er operative at once. And let me add that there are thousands of the true lovers of our feathered friends in this country who are anxious that congress- ioual action shall b.i taken as to the protection of our birds against the fad collectors of this land. Indiscrimate collecting is gettiug altogether too com- mon. It is a nuisance in the commun- ity and a menace to our future prosper- ity, notwithstanding that it is followed under the flimsy guise of so-called sci- entific collecting. The writer has been a coUeetor in his day, and takes pleasure in inspecting a new find, but there are limits, and after careful consideration the decision has been arrived at that the matter of egg collectiag has been va'^tiy overdone for mauy, many years. I am a friend to thn birds and wish to promot« their in- terests, and this article is written with the intention of appealing to the mem- bers of the "Oologist's Association" as well as to the masses to protect the birds of this country, our friends who ai'e so much in need of protection. What is oology anyway? If any class or set of collectors think that the com- prehension of the word embraces the ordinary collector of bird's eggs, they are in error. Now let me express my- self as to my opinion as to what con- stitutes an oologist. Oology, as an out- door study is a branch of ornithology, and nothing more, and the man who presumes to elevate it above the study 10 THE OOLOGIST. of birds is as foolish as those who pro- fess to be good ornithologists without knowing anything about the nesting habits of the common birds they study. As I understand it a capable ornitholo- gist must understand the niiification of birds of his section, while the egg col- lector should be able to identify the owners of the nests which he studies. But how often we find the so-called ool- ogists barely capable of naming the bird by the egg, while thousands of them would not be able to name the bird if they saw it away from the eggs. That this is true all observers of this class of fad collectors are fully aware. Many collectors gather eggs, as they do all other specimens just because their aquaintances are engaged in the business, as it is too often called. I am sorry to say that fully ninety-nine boys out of one hundred would not collect eggs were they not stimulated by the ef- forts of aquaintances. Thus the cen- surable pastime goes on to the detri- ment of our happy songsters. Let me say a word about work in the field. You may be a most enthusiastic bird's egg man with a wi-«h to devote all your time to a study of eggs and nests, but let m i tell you that it is more to the purpose if you will also observe in other departments of natural his- tory. In a short time you can familiar- ize yourself with the reptiles, mammals, insects and plants as well as adding valuable notes to your betterment. No one can afford to be in the woods with- out a note book if he ever expects to become a well versed nature-lover After a year's effort at this advanced work you could not be hired to umit the note book from your rambles. Amateurs are too liable to rush into collecting with a z^al which is more a result of collecting greed than it is from a real scienttic love of the study. Thousands of foolish boys and young men slash into the birds and eggs for a season or so, intent only on securing all they can, and desirous of outshining their companions in the nefarious fad. Such as these rarely make true lovers of the study; the class however, is a large one. I wish there was a law for the imprisonment of all the collectors of this class, or rather a law that could be made operative with their parents. Laws there are plenty of them, but one rarely hears of prosecution. There should be a shut down on all nes". robbing by boys and by many older persons, people old enough to know better. Parents, guardians and teachers should give strict orders in reference to bird protection, and as well by instruction give the children a love for the birds and other creatures of the wood and field; teaching the boys and girls to observe and study and not to destroy. It is always a pleasure for me to converse with an observing child or older person, but it is dis- tasteful to any lover of our feathered friends to look over a collection of poorly prepared eggs and skins, many improperly identified, and nearly all of which the collector knows nothing of excepting the meager notes em- braced in the data blanks. When the boy or man stoops to this style of col- lecting, and I am sorry to «!ay that there are many of them among us, he is as low as the thoughtless women who make use of feathers for adoi'ment. Now boys and all others may render a valuable service in the line of nature study if they will go at the matter in the right manner. This article is already too long, but I hope others will take it up and ad- vance the cause that is herein advo- cated. Let us hope that the Oologist's Association, if it meets, will take action to protect the birds and eggs and not to confine their attention too fully to the consideration of matters that gen- erally occupy the attention of the aver- age fad collector and to the exclusion of truly economic interests Respectfully yours, Morris Gibbs, M. D. THE OOLOGIST. 11 B. F. Bowdish Dead. At the breaking out of the war be- tween the United States and Spain, among the volunteers from this section was Beecher S. Bowish, who enlisted with the National Guard of the stite of New York, sfoiog with the Geneva com- pany. Although the company never reached the front, but spent its time subject to call at Camp Black and in Virginia, he remained ready for duty until the company was must-^red out. Following a short stay here at home, he reinlisted in the 11th Infantry, becom- a private in Company , E. and was or- dered at once to Porto Rico, where he has been on duty since last spring. During his sojourn there very interest- ing letters from his pen have been re- ceived, giving minute descriptions of soldier life, the habits and customs of the natives, together with a full de- scription of the country, its scenery, products and other interesting features. Yesterday morning the regular com- munication from Mr. Bowdish, under date of December 18, was received, and with it a note dated Viegues, Porto Ri- co, Decem ber 23, which reads as follows : "I regret to have to inform you of the loss of Private Beecher S. Bowdish, the news having just been brought in by a native that Private Bowdish, while in a boat with two natives, was capsized and drowned. I believe news has been sent to headquarters at San Juan and from there to his relatives. Yours respectfully, "OSCAR V. ROWE, Company E, 11th Infantry." Mr. Bowdish leaves a father and mothor, formerly ""f this place, but now reslHing in Nt^w York (^itv.— Phelps N. ¥. Correspondent in Rochester Herald, Jan. 6th Death of Elliott Coues. n Elliott Coues, the naturalist, died" Baltimore on December 25, and in his demise American science has lost one of her greatest men. He wis born in Portsmouth, N. H., in 1842. His father, Samuel Elliott Coues, was the author of several scientific treatises of great value, so that Elliott Coues the young- er came naturally to study science. He graduated from the Columbian Univer- sity in 1851, and from its medical de- partment in 1863, and entered the Unit- ed States Army as medical cadet and was appointed by Surgeon-General Hammond as Assistant Surgeon in the United States Army, retaining that office until his resignation in 1881. His first post of duty was in Arizona and then in Colorado and Illinois. In both stations he investigated the natural his- toi'y of the i-egion and published sev- eral important papers. In 1873, he was appointed Surgeon and Naturalist of the United States Northern Boundary Commission which surveyed the line along the 49th parallel from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains. After his return to Washington he pub- lished, in 1872, his "Key to North American Birds," and in 1874. "Field Ornithology." His reputation as a nat- uralist now became thoroughly estab- lished and he was appointed as secre- tary and naturalist of the United States Geological Survey under the late Dr. F. V. Hayden. He edited the publications of the Survey from 1876-1880, mean- while conducting explorations in the West. He published "Birds of the Nortliwest" in 1874, "Fur-Bsaring Ani- mals" in 1877, and "Birds of Colorado Valley," 1878. H^ was ordered by the War Department to the frontier, but his services to science were so import- ant that he tendered his resignation and continued his scientific career. He was a member of most of the scientific s >-'iR*i'^s of the United States and many of Europe. He was elected to the chair of anatomy at the National Medical College, in Washington, and pursued some of his favorite studies for ten years, teaching human anatomy upon the broad basis of morphology and up- on the principle of evolution. — Scien- tific Americmi. 12 THE OOLOGIST. Notes on the Yellow Warbler. On the first of May, 1899, I arot-e at about three o'clock and started on a long stroll, keeping my eyes and ears open all the time for my feathered friends. When after a walk of about a mile and a half without seeing much of interest, I came to a cow pasture of a few acres in extent, overgrown with small thorn bushes and briars. After climbing the fence, I sat down on a log to rest and listen, and was re- warded by heai'ing the song of several Yellow Warblers (D.cestiva) and after a search of a few minute.'-, I had found three nests just completed and several more just commenced. I sat down and watched them build- ing, most of that morning and noticed that both the male and female carry the material of which their beautiful nests are constructed. The female, however, seems to be the architect and builder, commencing by weaving a small ring about two inches in diameter out of coarse grey fibres of the milk weed, by way of foundation, and then builds the nest proper by tak- ing fine fibres in her bill and turning around and around, pushing and weav- ing it into the foundation ring and felt- ing it together. While watching a pair building, a Cowbird flew into a nest just completed and deposited one of her eggs. The owners of the nest on returning showed every sign of anger, trying to throw the egg out, but in vain, as the nest was a very beautiful one, about two and one- half {2i) by three and one half (3i) inch- es outside by one and three-q carters (II) in diameter by two (2) inches in- side. After chirping a while to each other and both trying to rid the nest of the unwelcome egg, they both flew away and did not return again that morning. I was so interested in what I saw that morning, that on May 15th I returned to the pasture again and observed that where the birds were building on May 1st and the birds had seen me bo much as touch the uncompleted structure, they had torn it down and moved it to some other place. But what of the nest with the Cow- bird's egg in it? Well, the birds had built another nest right over the first one, Cowbird's egg and all, making a double nest seven (7) inches long by two and one-half (2|) inches in diameter, the upper story of this nest containing five (5) fresh eggs. After this date I returned every day until the eggs began to hatch to observe these beautiful little songsters. After having seen the fight put up by this pair of the double nest against the intruding Cowbii'd, I thought 1 would try some of the other nests with Cow- birds' eggs. So I placed an egg in two (2) other nests which were just completed and in both cases the Warblers left the nest and built another. But in six (6) nests which contained one or more Warblers' eggs they did not seem to notice the egg. in the least. I spent many hours this summer watching D. (estiva, for which I feel well repaid. Paul Morris, Alliance, Ohio. Purple Finches in Mississippi. On February 14, 15 and 16, 1899, while the thermometer ranged from 5 degrees above to 2 below z^ro, a flock of thir- teen Purple Finches, six males and seven fem^Ies were seen here by my- self. During the cold w ather the birds stayed in an evergreen tree and gorged themselves with the frozen berries. The birds were quite tame and would let anyone come within five or six feet of them. This is the first time I have ever heard of the birds being seen in the state. Albert F. Lanier, Vicksburg, Miss. THE OOLOGIST. 13 A Few Sug-g-estions for the Prepara- tion of Trophies. Having been an enthusiastic taxider- mist and collector for many years, it follows that I have preserved many specimens of the forest, field and stream as trophies. It has occurred to me that a few suggestions on the preservation of objects of natural history might not go amiss, and perhaps be appreciated by your readers. If acceptable, a series of short articles will be presented upon this subject, so that those who wish may save their trophies of the outing. In my travels the fact has been repeat- edly brought to my notice that but very few of the heads and horns, fish heads, and feathered game are preserved, even where the specimens are easy to secure, and where the trophies would assist in decoration and to blazon the glory of a locality or resort. It can not be under- stood by one interested in our animals, fish and birds why hunters, anglers and outers do not preserve the beautiful plumage of their game birds and the big pike and trout. Short directions will be given for the preservation of fish heads. Any fish can be preserved in a very few minutes so that it will last a thousand years by the simple introduction of a small quan- tity of my preservative compound ; but if a good specimen is desired a greater amount -of attention is necessary. It is not best to attempt an entire fish the first time, but the head may be easily and satisfactorily preserved Cut the head off just back of the gills, where it is usually divided when dressed, and remove the flesh that can be easily cut out, also the eyes. If the head is large it is better to cut out some pieces of flesh along the inside of the jaws, which may be easily done, and the slit sewed up later. These slits should be cut on the inside of the mouth so that they will not show, and this method of working on the inside should always be followed. Now rub the inside of the mouth, eye- sockets and all the denuded parts where the flesh was removed with the pre- servative compound, and it is better to force some into the brain through the spinal hollow if the fish weighs ten pounds or more. Your head is now preserved and will last a thousand years, and will ke«p out doors as well as in the house. It can not spoil, for it is as fully preserved as an Egyptian mummy. Most anglers wish to pre- serve their heads in better form, and in following this out you may spend as much time as you wish, and I may add you will not regret the time spent if you have a head worth saving. We will suggest that you have a pike's head. Cut out a piece of board, better half-inch stuff, of the size of space at back of head where cut off, and tack in this piece as a foundation, and it will support the head and fit on the wall when you hang up the work. Next stuff out the jaws to the required extent with hay, excelsior or rags, get a pair of fish glass eyes and place them in sockets with puttv, and hang up the head on the wall to dry. After it is dry, say from a week to a month, remove the stuffing, wash off, paint if desired and varnish if vou wish to have a fresh appearance. The tishey smell will stick to the head for a fortnight or more and will last a month more to an extent, but will then pass away forever, and you will have a trophy which will grace any apartment devoted to specimens, sportsmens' accouterments Of course this is the work in the rough, but it is sufficient to succeed in all cases and all anglers may preserve their heads by this means. A head mounts d in this manner will last forever, even if it is hung up out of doors, as I can prove in many instances where specimens have been left out. These fish, birds and an- imals have been tested in this manner all over the Union and are at the pres- ent time to be found exposed to the ele- ments all over the country. Morris Gibbs, M. D. Trade Marks Designs Copyrights &c. Anvone sending a sketch and description may qulclily ascertain our opinion free whether an Invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. Handbook on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securingpatents. Patents taken throuerh Munn & Co. receive special notiA:e, without charge, in the Scientific Jlinerican. A handsomely illustrated weekly- Largest cir- culation of any scientific Journal. Terms. 16 a year ; four months, $L Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN4Co.36'B'o» leaves us for the south, and about the time when the Snowflakes fly in compact flocks on their winter wanderings. The cheering notes of the Red-eyed Vireo are to be heard each May, June and July, while the soul-thrilling, gurg- ling melody of the Warbling, and the clear penetrating staccato of the Yel- low-throated Vireos are listened to with delight, though the latter singer does not nest in the neighborhood to my knowledge. That sweet singing bird of gorgeous plumage, the Scarlet Tanager, wanders into our domain in May while looking for a mate, and proves to us that a guady bird may sing divinely. The Cedarbird once built its nest in our old greening tree, and still appears ir- regularly in winter. The cherry trees were the attraction in summer, and the mountain asi berries in cold weather. One White-rumpel Shrike visited us years ago, and a Great Northern Shrike was ciptiired in the winter. Fivo species of swallows fly ab^ve our yard annually; the Barn, Eave, Tree, Bank and Purple Martin, t'le latter for- merly nesting in a little bird house on the roof of the barn. The flights of these swallowH are readily distinguisha- ble. 1 think I have seen the Rough- wing flying but it will not be recorded, for no species arn embraced excepting those positively identified. The Prairie Horned Lark is occasionally seen above in its undulating flight, uttering its cheery chirp. During the migrations many species of warblers are noted as they pause on their journey to search for the insect food which is their reliance. There are thirty or more species of these little winged sprites in the county, but some of them have not visited our lot, as they are lovers of wilder sections. It is strange that the Wilson's White-browed and Capo May Warblers should be seen in the city. The Black-and-White Creep- ing, Black throated Green, Yellow-rump and Blackburnian are the most frequent- ly seen, and until recently were season- ally observed, while the Chestnut-sided» Red-start, Parula, Nashville, Tennessee, Yellow, Black-and-Yel low, Blackthroat- ed Blut\ Bay-breasted, Yellow Red-pol- led and Oven-bird have only been seen at wide intervals, and some but once At any time, from the earliest appear- ance in April to the latest visit of the Tennessee in late May warblers are of almost daily occurrence in the enclos- ure; and again in September there are flocks which frequently embrace two to four species. But none of the warblers ever remain in the neighborhood during summer. That little busy-body, the House Wren, is a seasonal visitor, and once nested on the premises. Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets appear spring 26 THE OOLOGIST. and fall, and enliven us with their ac- tive movements, while the beautiful notes of the latter are heard each sea- son. The Gnatcatcher in spring and that curious little acrobat, the Chicka- dee, in winter are to be found. The White-breasted Nuthatch is a resident and may be seen at all seasons, and once nested on the premises, while the smaller and less noticable Red-bellied fellow from the north ocasionally strag- gles to our premises in fall, winter or spring. We also have that delicate mite, the Brown Creeper, which appears each year irregularly from November to May. The Robin is seen from February to December, and regularly for over eight months of the year. It nests in the yard almost every season, and is the favoi'ite with all. One Wood Thrush has lent its presence, while the rufous tail of the Hermit was formerly seen in the row of raspberries in the garden, where it has been known to make its home for a week at a time in the spring. The Olive- backed Thrush also visits us occassion- ally. Our querulous friend, the Cat- bird, was well known as a yearly visitor before the shrubbery and garden were cleared away. A flaunting Brown Thrasher has been known to flirt his tail in the back yard, but this was years ago and before we had taken city airs. 1 have even seen a Wilson's Thrush in our yard, and have marvelled that it should thus vary its habit of almost con- stant seclusion. Our little friend, the well known Bluebird flies over or war- bles agreeably, but no longer nests in the box provided for him. It is only in later years, and since I have had the pleasure of reading the charming work by Gilbert White of Selborne, that I have thought to place these lists and observations in print. The notes on the birds, together with the lists of insects, mammals, indigen- ous plants, etc., would fill a small book in themselves. Let me say as an illus- tration, that I have identified sixty-four species of moths and butterflies in the yard, while but one each of the chelonia and ophidia, have been taken, the snake and turtle, of course, being accidental stragglers. Of the above list of birds I have found nineteen species nesting in theyard;most of which are only occasional nesters, a few of which were found nesting but in a single instance, while four may be called fairly regular as nesters. Morris Gibbs, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. Some Summer Birds of Androscoggfin Lake In the month of June, 1898, it was my good fortune to spend a week on the shores of Androscoggin Lake and Dead River in the towns of Leeds and Wayne, Maine, in company with my naturalist friend, Mr. J. E. Teague, of Livermore, and to observe the nesting habits of many of our common birds. It is an ideal spot for the lover of nat- ure, this large lake dotted over with its many islands, its waters splashing the shores and the birds flitting about; and to float across its waters and feel the summer's breeze blowing about you filled with the fragrance of wild flow- ers and then to paddle gently down the limous waters of the Dead River. This river is the paradise of birds. To the lover of nature this scene fills one with awe that our Creator could make things so beautiful. We had a small camp back about twenty rods from the lake and when we arrived were met by the owner, Mr. D. P. Love, who had everything in readiness for our arrival. We at once made ourselves comfortable and after a lunch obtained a boat and rowed out to several of the islands. The follow- ing is a list of the snecies found breed- ing during our week's stay at the lake. Loon, one nest with two eggs found THE OOLOGIST. 27 on a small island of mud at quite a dis- tance from the mainland. Eggs very light, nest composed of water grass. Every night while lying in camp we could hear the wearying cries of the Loons out on the lake. Spotted Sandpiper. No nests were found but young birds in the down were observed and old birds could be counted by the hundred. Downy Woodpecker. One nest was found containing young in a white birch stub leaning out over the water of the lake. Red-winged Blackbird. Nests were found containing eggs of this species built in low bushes in marshes back from the shore of the lake and many birds of this species were observed. Baltimore Oriole. This species was breeding. Nests with eggs were found bnilt in old apple trees near the shore of the lake from fifteen to thirty feet from the ground. Vesper Sparrow. Several nests with eggs were found. Song Sparrow. This species was the most abundant of any species of Spar- row found breeding at the lake. Many nests with eggs were found on Lath- rop's Island, the largest island in the lake. I found a nest of this species at the water's edge built in a mass of dead water grass and driftwood and com- pletely roofed over and concealed from view. It was found by flushing the bird from the nest that it contained four eggs, which was the usual number found in all of the nests we observed of this species. Tree Swallow. One nest of this spe- cies was found near the mouth of Dead River back a few rods from the water. It was built in a maple stub nearly fifty feet from the ground. The stub was honeycombed with holes made by Woodpeckers, but only one pair of Swallows was seen. They were seen to fly to a hole near the top of the stub and were, as near as we could tell at that distance from the ground, feeding their young. Yellow Warbler. The most abund- ant breeder of any species found at the lake and river. Its nests were every- where found, built in low bushes near the water at a height varying from two to fifteen feet from the ground; eggs commonly three and four in number. Mr. Teague found one nest containing five eggs on the banks of Dead River. Its nests could be counted by dozens while the birds could be seen by hun- dreds. Oven Bird. One nest was found near our camp which contained five beautiful eggs. It was a typical nest of this species. Maryland Yellowthroat. Two nests were found on islands in the lake built in low bushes. One contained three eggs the other four. No birds of this species were seen. American Redstart. Several nests were found built in low maples and al- ders from 8 to 13 feet from the ground. Eggs three and four in number. Catbird. Very common breeder; nests in low bushes; eggs three to four in number, commonly four. Wilson's Thrush. Nests of this spec- ies were found on Lathrop Island and the banks of Dead River containing eggs and young. It was identified as this species by Mr. Teague and no oth- er species of Thrush was seen at the lake. Nearly all of the nests contained four eggs each. Following is a list of the birds seen at the lake and river but not found breed- ing: Black Duck. A few seen, breeds quite abundantly in the latter part of June and in July. American Bittern. Several birds of this species were seen. Great Blue Heron. One or two seen near Lathrop's Island. Ruffed Grouse. Several were seen near the lake shores. 28 THE OOLOGIST. Belted Kingfisher. This species was seen but very sparingly. Kingbird. This species was very common on the banks of the river but no nests were obtained. Pewees. Several pairs were observed. Crested Flycatcher. Several birds of this species seen near the river. Least Flycatcher. Birds of this spec- ies were seen near the river in a low growth of ash and maple. Blue Jay. Not very plentiful, a few birds of this species were seen in conif- erous growth near the camp. American Crow. Very abundant everywhere. Savanna Sparrow. Birds supposed to belong to this species were observed. White-crowned Sparrow. Birds of this species were seen by Mr. Teague. Chipping Sparrow. Abundant. Barn and Bank Swallows. Abund- ant flying over the water of the lake. Cedar Waxwing. Very abundant along the river banks. Red-eyed Vireo. Quite plentiful in woods near the river. Chestnut-sided warbler. Several birds seen both male and female. Black-throated Green Warbler. A few pairs of this species were observed. Chickadee. Very abundant. American Robin. Very common near camp, also on the shores of the lake and river.' Bluebird'. A few birds of this species were seen. In concluding this paper, I know how very incomplete it is of the species found breeding and inhabiting this lo- cality, but it is nevertheless a true re- cord of species observed during our week's stay at beautiful Androscoggin Lake. Gut H. Briggs, Livermore, Maine. A later report states that B. F. Bow- dish, of Porto Rico, who was reported dead in Jan. OOLOGIST; is still living. Full particulars in March issue. Blue Jays at Play. Reading Dr. Gibbs' interesting paper in the December number of the Oolo- GiST entitled "Performers and Sing- ers," recalled to my mind a "perform- ance" that I was a witness to many years ago. Being in a newly settled part of the country, where the virgin forest was largely composed of pine, hemlock and cedar, a veritable paradise for Blue Jays, and they were there in great num- bers enjoying it to the utmost of their capacity, and that is small for a bird of their size. Being seated on the brow of a high hill, in the shade of a wood be- hind me, looking down on a cleared flat, with a large elm tree with a wide spreeding top standing alone in the centre; dead by girdling, but still re- taining its ponderous branches; and having for a background a dense growth of cedar and hemlock a little distance away. Whilst surveying the situation around, above and below me, a noisy flock of perhaps twelve or four- teen Blue Jays came out of the wood behind me and made for the elm tree. They all dropped down upon the same branch, seemingly at the same time, which caused it to bend with their weight, to rebound again. This seem- ed to instantly suggest to the Blue Jays that they could have a teeter; so appar- parently with that end in view they all began to work in unison. Grasping the branch tightly with their toes they would throw their bodies up to raise the branch, then bring it down with force to send it lower; until they soon had the branch going up and down to such an exteut, that on its descent some of them had to partially extend their wings to maintain their balance; whilst each seemed calling on its companions to urge them on to the utmost of their ability At last the branch broke from their united efforts and sent the flock into the air, when they made for the cedars and hemlocks beyond, with the greatest amount of discordant noise I have ever heard from Blue Jays; which I can only compare with the screaming laughter of children over the success of some of their own pranks. J. Alston Moffat, London, Ont. THE 0<5L0GIST. 29 THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Has published three-fourths of the most interesting descriptions of the nests and eggs of rare species of the West, which have been printed during the past six years, including the Hermit Warbler, Western Ev- ening Grosbeak, White-throated Swift, California Vulture, etc., etc. It is now publishing The Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club. A crisp and breezy 1 6 to 24 page bi-monthly bird journal, illustrated as required. The articles are all from field workers and have a ring which enthuses the live ornithologist. The only Bird Magazine devoted solely to the Ornithology of the Great West. Always out on time! You want it! Subscription $1 a year. Sample copy, 20 cents. For sample, ad- dress C. BARLOW, Editor-in-chief, Santa Clara, Cal. Subscriptions to DONALD A. COHEN, Business Manager, Alameda, Cal. Subscriptions may commence with No. i (January, 1899). "You might as well be out of the Bird World altogether as go without The Osprey." TUm OBF>REY An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Popular Ornithology. Edited by THEODORE GILL, in Co-operation with ROBERT RIDGWAY, L. STEJNEGER, C. W. RICHMOND and Other Eminent Ornithologists. The Osprey does not keep a poet, but it has an office cat who can catch more birds than all the poets put together. If you don't believe this, read The Osprey. If you want to buy, sell or exchange specimens, advertise in The Osprey. If you want to keep in with other Bird Men, subscribe for The Osprey. If you want to write about Birds, you can do it in The Osprey, provided you know how to write. If you like a beautifully printed and profusely illustrated magazine, all about Birds you MUST HAVE The Osprey. TERMS: ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. Published by THE OSPREY COMPANY, 321-323 4^ St., Washington, D. C. 80 THE OOLOGIST BIRD-LORE For February, the first number of Volume II, contains a full-page portrait of the late Elliott Coues, a list of over 50 prominent ornithogists, residing throughout the United States and Canada who have consented to aid bird students by responding to their re- quests for information and advice, and, among others, the following articles: "Con- cerning Birds' Tongues," (12 illustrations) by F. A. Lucas; "The Economic Value of Gulls," (illustrated) by Frank M. Chapman; "Bird Study at Oberlin College," by Lynds Jones; "Every-day Study of Birds for Busy People, including a method of Recording Notes," by W. H. C. Pynchon;" "The Season's Flight of Crossbills," (illustrated) from notes by William Brewster, J. N. Clark, and others; "The Blue- winged Warbler in Southern New York in January," by Elizabeth G Britton;" "Where the Grebes' Breasts Come from," by Vernon Bailey. 20 cents a copy. One Dollar a year. THE MACMILLAN CO., Englewood, N. J., or 66 Fifth Ave., New York City. Mounted Birds. Blue-fronted Jay $ .85 Calif. Jay 75 Varied Thrush 85 Am. Crow 90 Am. Eider Duck (fine) 2.50 " (not as good) _ 2.00 Kittiwake Gull 1.55 Puffin 1.75 Dovekie 1.65 Harlequin Duck (young male) 8.00 By express or freight at purchasers' ex- pense, over $5 at 5 per cent, discount. All with stands or perches : also skins of most of these Prices for skins quoted on applica- tion. Can also furnish mounted specimens as given in last issue of Oologist except Albino Robin. ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. SPECIAL. To dispose of my collection of Minerals I offer them at the following rates prepaid: 12 varieties, loc; 60 var 40c Every 50 includes the following fine crystals and rare ores: Autunite, Gemrose, Topaz, Noumeite, Uraninite, Garnet, Tourmaline, Rock Crystal, Cairngorm, Aragonite, Pet. Wood, Obsidian Lava, Cystolite, Beryl, Amazonstone, etc., labeled and prepaid. L. V. CASE. Marine Shells and Curios. I am now in a position to furnish in quantity all of the best species collected on the Gulf Coast and will be pleased to furnish prices on applica- tion. Best of reference given and satisfaction guaranteed. Collections sent on approval to par- ties giving satisfactory reference. Any not ap- proved can be returned at my expense. Address all orders to A. J. BARNES, Dunedin, Fla. 50 YEARS' EXPERIENCE kDE Marks Designs Copyrights &c. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an Invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confldeutial. Handbook on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co, receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific American. A handsomely illustrated weekly. Largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year ; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN4C0.36'Broadway.NeWY0rt Branch OfBce, 625 F St., Washington, D. C. BEDFORD, N. Y. 200 Business Cards, 40c; 100 visiting cards,35c : 200 visiting cards, 50c. Sent prepaid. WILL- IAM PFLUG, 115 Pacific St., Brooklyn, N. Y. THIS PAPER is printed at the Book and Magazine Publishing House of A. M. EDDY, Albion, N. Y. THE OOLOGIST 31 BIRDS' EGOS. Fine sets with data for sale at prices quoted. All orders over 35c prepaid, under 35c send 5c extra for postage. Figures following name of species indicate the number of eggs in the set. Orders over $5 filled at 5 per cent, discount. Surf Scoter, 5; $3.25. Am. Merganser, 9; $4 50. Short-eared Owl, 4; Willow Ptarmigan, 6; Blue-winged Warbler, 4; at $3 per set. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, 10; Green-wing- ed Teal, 10; Yellow-throated Warbler, 3; Calli- ope Hummingbird, nest and 8; at $1.75 per set. Groove-billed Ani., 6; Mangrove Cuckoo, 4; Oregon Ruffed Grouse, 11; White-faced Glossy- Ibis, 4 ; Wood Ibis, 4; at f 1.30 per set. Great Horned Owl, 3; Limpkin, 4; Groove- billed Ani., 5; Ashy Petrel, 1; Booby, 2: Oregon Ruffed Grouse, 9; Shoveller, 10; at $1.25 per set. Yellow-billed Magpie,? ; White-necked Raven, 5; Whip-poor will, 2; Chuck-willswidow, 2; Am. Bittern, 4; at $1.15 per set. Cassin's Purple Finch 3; Wilson's Phalarope, 4; Redhead Duck, 9; Am. Barn Owl, 7; Prairie Hen, 13; at $1 per set. Ruffed Grouse, 9; Audubon's Caracara, 2; Am. Osprey, Am. Oystercatcher, 2; at 90c per set. Northwest Flicker, 9; Bendire's Thrasher, 3; Crissal Thrasher, 2; Pileolated Warbler, 3; Violet-green Swallow, 6; Calif. Woodpecker, 5; Western Grebe, 5; Calif, Brown Pelican, 3; Purple Gallinule, 8; West. Horned Owl, 2; White toiled Hawk, 2; Harris' Hawk, 4. Turkey Vulture, 2 ; Black Vulture, 2; Red-bellied Hawk, 2; at 75c per set. Great Blue Heron, 4; Royal Tern, 4; Am. Avocet, 4; Am. Long-eared Owl, 5; Northwest Crow, 5; Red shouldered Hawk, 4; Farralone Cormorant, 4: White Ibis, 4; King Rail, 8; Bar- tramian Sandpiper, 4; sr. Domingo Grebe, 5; Burrowing Owl, 9; Screech Owl, 5; Galrdner's Woodpecker. 5; Inca Dove, 2; Marsh Hawk, 5; Baird's Wren, 8: at 60c per set. Palmer's Thrasher, 4; Baird's Wreu,6; White- throated Sparrow, 4; Desert Sparrowhawk. 5; Northwest Flicker,6; Western Red-tailed Hawk, 3; Swainson's H'awk 3; Cassin's Auklet, 1; Au- dubon's Shearwater, 1: Fla. Bob-white, 10; Tex- an Bob white, 15; Calif. Partridge, 13; Hermit Thrush, 4; at 50c per set. Red-shouldered Hawk, 3; Fla. Night Hawk, 2; Clapper Rail, 10; Virginia Rail, 8; Oyster- catcher, 4; at 45c per set. Least Vireo, 4; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 5; Am. Eared Grebe, 8; Laughing Gull, 4; Anhin- ga, 4; Caspian Tern, 3; Skua, 2; Am. Flamingo, 1; Road-runner', 6; Baird's Woodpecker, 5; Chacalaca, 3; Red-tail Hawk, 3; Fla. Red- shouldered dawk. 2 at 40c per set. Oven-bird, 5; Road-runner, 4; Bob-o-link, 4; West. Field Sparrow, 4; Phainopepla, 3; Summer Tauager, 4; Man-o-War Bird, 1; Calif. Gull. 3; Western Gull, 3; Great Black-backed Gull, 2; Bridled Tern, 1; Manx Shearwater, 1 ; Large-billed Puffin, 1; Horned Grebe, 5; Eu. Sandpiper, 4; Wilson's Plover,3; at 3,5c per set. Fla. Cormorant, 3; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Texan Bob-white, 9; at 30c per set. Swamp Sparrow, 5; West. Blue Grosbeak, 3; Hooded Oriole, 3; Fulmar, 1; Pied-billed Grebe, 7; Nighthawk, 3; West. Nighthawk, 2; Texan Nighthawk, 3; Spotted Sandpiper, 4; Phaino- pepla, 2; Kildeer, 3; Least Bittern, 4; at 35c per set. Brandt's Cormorant, 2; Parasitic Jaeger, 1; Lapwing. 4; Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, 5; Pied- billed Grebe, 6; Forster's Tern, 3; Carolina Chickadee, 4; Am. Redstart, 4; Calif. Shrike,6; Purple Martin, 4; Stormy Petrel, 1; Pallas* Murre, 1; Tufted Puffin, 1; Bell's Vireo, 4; at 20c per set. Gannet, 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 4; Chim- ney Swift, 4; Calif. Thrasher,2; Arkansas King- bird 4; Noddy Tern, 1 ; at 15c per set. Razor-bill Auk, 1; Towhee, 3; Wood Pewee, 3; Black Tern, 3; West Robin, 4; Am. Crow, 6; at 18c per set. Puffin,!; Murre, 1; Calif. Murre, 1; at 10c per set. Mockingbird, 4; at 7c per set. Can use sets of A. O. U. No.'s 80, 125, 126, 362, 364, 280, 70. 74, 339. 349, 360 7, 828, 84, 106. 183, 184, 197. 200, 206. 261, 294, 3'35, 326, 332, 418, 428, 429 in exchange if rates are satisfactory. Address plainly and in full, Ernest H. Short, Albion, N. Y. JAMES P. BABBITT, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Taxidermists' Supplies, Bird Skins, Eggs & Publications. Fine Imported Glass Eyes a Speeialty. Illustrated Catalogue and large monthly bulle- tin of bargains in Birds Skins and Eggs free upon application. TAUNTON, MASS. A FREE PATTERN (her owa selection) to every subscriber. Beautiful col- ored lithogrraphed plates and iUustiatlons Original, latest, artistic, exquisite and strictly up-to-date designs. MSCALLS 50^ Dressmaking economies, fancy work, household hinti, short stories, current topics, etc. Subscribe to-day. Only 60o. yearly. Lady agents wanted. Send for termj. For ladle.?, misses, glrlg and Uttle children. That cei^ tain stylish "chic" effect not attained by the use of any other patterns. Have no equal for style and perfect fit. Easily put together. Only 10 and 16 cents each-non« blKber. Sold in nearly every city and town, or by malU Ask for them. Absolutely very latest up-to-date BtylM. THE McCALL COMPANY, US'lte Weit 14th 8tr«l, . . . . New Tork City, K. I. 33 THE OOLOGIST. B/\RG/\INS IN BOOKS FOR THE NATURALIST. I have them by the thousand and offer below many very rare and desirable titles at prices way below actual value. Of most I have only single sets or copies. All are new or good as new unless otherwiKC stated. Prices are by mail, express or freight at purchaser's expense -will ship cheapest way. Money returned at my expense if books wanted are sold. Prices good un- til April I, 1900 only. After that date, write first. Special discounts on large orders. Remit in most convenient way. Address plainly and in full FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, ORLEANS CO., N. Y. Allen, A Monograph of the Bats of North America, 198p, 38pl $140 Bendire, Life Histories of North Ameri- can Birds. Rare and almost unobtain- able. Only a few vols, on the market at any price. Vol. I, $9; vol. II, 7 50, or both vols 16 00 Brown, Atlas of Fossil Conchology with descriptions and illustrations. 98 full page tinted steel plates containing 3500 figures. Royal 4to. London, 1889. ($20.00) new ' 8 00 Buffon's Natural History (Barr's Buffon). The Earth. Man, Brute Creation, Veg- etablf'S. Miner.tls, etc. Ten vols., minus Vol VI of about 3.=i0p ea. Illus- trated by about 200 old copper plates. 12 mo., calf, fine condition. Published in London in 1797. Lot, 9 vols, only.. 3 50 Chamberlain, Land, Game and Water Birds cNuttall), 900p, with plates and many illustrations, 2 vols bound in 1.. 4 75 Chapman, Frank M., A Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North America 2 35 Cope, The Batrachla of North America, 520p. 86pl, 119fig 2 35 Cope. Vertebrata of Tertiary Formations, 4to, 1043p, 134pl 3 20 Coues, Field and General Ornithology— A Manual of th<^ Structure and Classifi- cation of Birds with Instructions for Collecting and Preserving Specimens, 344p. l]2flg 2 25 Dana, Manual of rieology. 1st ed., 800p; over lOOOflgs («5), 1.45; 2d ed I 90 Davie. Methods in the Art of Taxidermy, (810), now out of print and publishers supply exhausted, will soon be very rare 3 85 Donaldson, The George Catlin Indian Gal- lery with Memoir and Statistics, 940p, 144pl and maps (3.50) 110 Goss, Col. N. S.. History of the Birds of Kansas (7.50), new and lasted 4 25 Head ley. Structure and Life of Birds, 412p, 78flg, 1895 170 IngersoU, E , Birds' Nesting (1.2,=)) 80 jAHDiNE's (Sir William) Naturalists Library. Post 8vo. Each volume con- tains 200 to a50p and about .30 plates engraved on steel and colored from nature, also many wood cuts, original set cost $50. Have just received a brokenset in poor condition, loose in covers &c. Text and plates, however, in clean and fair condition. Edin- burgh, 1 835-1 H40. I have: Ichthyology (Fish), 4 vols., lot only 1 20 Entomology (Insects), 7 vols., lotonly... 2 10 Ornithology (Birds), 14 vols., lot only... 6 30 Jones, Cassell'a Book of Birds, four vols., 1250p, 400 large ills., 40 col. pi., 89 col. eggs 7 20 Jordon and Gilbert, synopsis of the Fishes of North America, 101 8p 3 30 Kingsley, Popular Natural History, A Des- cription of Animal Life from theLow est Forms Up to Man, 2 vols, 728p, 507 Ills., many pi., Boston '90 7 26 Klrby (-Lloyd's Natural History") Moth and Butterflies. 5 vols , each containing about 300p text, 158pl., beautifully and accurately lllustrat ing over 500 species true to nature. 1897 6 80 Lesquereaux, Cretaceous and Tertiiary Floras, 4to, 29.5pp, 60pl _ 2 10 Leidy, Fresh Water Rhizopods of North America, 4to, 335pp, -18ill., 1190 col. figs 2 90 Lydekker, C'Lloyds") Mammals- : Mam- mals of Great Britain, Marsupials, Carnivora, 3 vols.. 300p. ea.. 100 col. pL. 3 15 Maynard, The Butterflies of New Eng- land, 4to, 76p, 10 hand col. pi. showing 250 life size specimens, rare, valuable, out of print _ 4 75 Morris, Nest and Eggs of British Birds, 2vol., 154 colored plates, 1859 3 90 Mcllwrath, Thomas, Birds of Ontario (82) 1 40 Nature, Vol. XXXI to XXXIV, unbotmd, cost$12 3 20 Ogilvie-Grant, ("Lloyds"), A Hand- Book to the Game Birds, 2 vols, of 300p ea., 43 col. pi., '97 3 10 Ornithological and Natural History Pub- cations, can furnish back No's of al- most anything published in America during the past 25 years. Write wants Pennsylvania State 8d Geological Svjr- vey, 38 vols, cloth, many plates, maps, figs., &c., thousands of nages, $35 5 20 Ridgway. Ornithology of Illinois, vol. I, 520p, 33pl.. 1889 2 90 Scudder, Nomenclator Zoologicus (An Alphabetical list of all Generic names employed by Naturalists for Recent and Fossil Animals from earliest times to 1880), 716p 2 10 Scudder, Tertiary Insects of North Amer- ica. 4to, 734p, 28pl 1 90 Sharpe, ("Lloyd's"), A Hand-Book to the Birds of Great Britian, 4 vols, of 300p each, 124 col. plates, '97 6 20 Shufeldt, M. D., R. W., Scientific Taxid- ermy for Museums, 71 full page plates 67 pages, text _ 1 35 Smithsonian Reports, 43 vols, from 1853 to 1895, inclusive 80 00 Stegneger, Poisonous Snakes of North America, 144p, 19pl, 70fig 1 36 Studer's Birds of North America. 800p, 119 col. pi., imp. 4to; full Morrocco, ($45) 13 80 Vennor, Our Birds of Prey, or the Eagles, Hawks and Owls of Canada, 30 large photograph plates, ($12.00) 4 40 Whitlock, The Migration of Birds, 140p '97 90 Wilson, Study of Prehistoric Anthropol- ogy, Hand Book for Beginners, 76p, 20pl, 287fig 96 Wilson, Prehistoric Art. valuable to stud- ents. 340p, 74pl., 325fig 1 40 Wood, Animate Creation. Revised and adopted to American Zoology by Hold- er, 60 parts, complete, 30 page ole- ographs, 60 plates and profusely illus- trated, ($15) 6 00 Ridgway, Hummingbirds, 132p, 46pl, 47flg 1 90 FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. The Oologist. A MONTHLY PUBLICATION DEVOTED TO OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. VOL. XVIL NO. 3 ALBION, N.Y., MARCH, 1900. Whole No. 164 Wants, Exchanges, and For Sales. Brief special announcements, "Wants,' "Exchanges" "For Sales," Inserted In this department tor 25c per ih words. Notices over 25 words, charged at the rate of one-half cent per each additional word. No notice Inserted for less than 25c. Terms, cash with order. Strictly First-class specimens will be accepted in payment at one-third list rates. What's Your Number? Examine the number following your name on the wrapper of this month'.? Oologist. It denotes when your subscription expired or will expire. No.lW your subscription expires with this issue 165 " " " " April, 1900 170 " " •• " Sept. " 173 " ". " " Dec. " 175 " " " " Feb , 1901 180 " " " " July, " Intermediate numbers can easily be deter- mined. If we have you credited wrong we wish to rectify. n WANTED.— Minerals, Showy Shells, Marine Curios and Indian Relics. Can give in ex- change eggs in sets and singles, copies of Coin and Stamp Catalogues. Will pay cash if cheap. Address GEORGE J. TILLS, Eagle Harbor, N. Y. WANTED. —Long focus camera (Premo pre- ferred) 4x5 or 5x7. Will give first-class eggs in sets, rifle, part cash or all cash. H. A. SHAW, Grand Forks. N. D. FOR EXCHANGE OR SALE. 387 1-2, 388 1-2, 581 2-4. singles of 821, 263, 273, 289, 300. 387, 388, 495, 49g, .507, 613, 624, 755, 511, 703, 701, 412, 1st Class data. Above eggs will be sold cheap. Has anyone an egg case, glass 'top, about 24x36 in., to sell? If so address ELLSWORTH KREIDER, Milesgrove, Erie Co., Pa, SPECIAL.— I have a nice collection of fifty varieties 1st class Al sets with data which I will sell very cheap. Catalogue price is about $27.00. Just the thing for a starter. Write at once for list and particulars. T. J. GRIDLEY, Nordhoff, Ventnra Co , Cal. TWO HUNDRED FIFTY varieties of stamps to exchange for eggs in sets, catalogue |9. Fine camera complete, cost $25, will sell for $8 cash, a bargain. Mounied birds to exchange for eggs in sets with data. F. R. SANDERS, Laconia, N. H. FOR EXCHANGE. -Fine collection of 400 different U. S. and Foreign Stamps cataloging 88, in a Mekeel complete stamp album, for A No. 1 sets (raptores preferred) camera, canoe or mounted birds. WM. F. EASTMAN, 478 Lebanon St., Melrose. Mass. THE ]»IAIICH issue of tlie OOLO- GIST ^vas not mailed subscribers until Marcb 31st. Hence all ex- ctaansres, ads., &c. are new and "fresh." HAVE 100 first-class singles including 58, 71, 80, 194, 314, 201, etc , to exchange for sets or sin- gles not in my collection. F.^ED BLACK, 906 Osborn St., Kalamazoo, Michigan. TO EXCHANGE —The following well mount- ed birds: Nos. 1, 375, 758a, 364 (wings spread), 488, .581e. 567a, 627, 621, 506, 506, 534. and stamps for camera, mounted birds, eggs of raptores and cyclometer. WM. L. EASTMAN, 478 Lebanon St., Melrose, Mass. TO EXCHANGE.— Eastman's No. 2 Eureka Camera, 31/2x3^. for best offer in sets of eggs or skins All letters answered. W. G. AMON, 707 N. Main St., Washington, Penna. WANTED.— Large, showy eggs such as Murres, Gulls, Terus, Herons, Hawks, Grebes, etc. See my exchange in February Oologist. GUY BRIGGS, Livermore, Mass. WILL EXCHANGE Land and Fresh Water Shells for same or for single Birds' Eggs or Fossils. PRANK STOFFEL, Peru, Ills. FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.— A few Al sets with datas, a collection of 50 fine singles. Send your list and receive mine. ROY H. BULLIS, Winnebago City, Minn. WANTED.— "Davie's Nests and Eggs of N. A. Birds." Will give $4 25 worth of Al sets, if in good condition. Send postal for List. J. S. APPLETON, Simi, Ventura Co., Cal. WANTED.— Historical Relics of all kinds, especially small pieces of wood, etc , from his- torical buildings, ships, trees. Avithors' auto- graphs also desired. Send postal. HAROLD G. kUGG, Proctorsville, Vt. FOR SALE.— Sets of eggs with nests and without, also have fine singles. All are pre- paid. Send for list at their lowest prices. GEORGE W. THOMPSON, Jamaica Plain, Mass FOR EXCHANGE.— Minerals and Curiosi- ties. Old Books and Papers some Coins. U. S. Postage and Revenue Stamps, etc. GEO, WALTHER, Rushville, N. Y. 24: THE OOLOGIST. TO EXCHANGE.— A good 4-section leather covered telescope for 38 cal. auxiliary tube for 13 gauge gun. GLEN RINKER, UnlonvlUe, Mo. WANTED. — Sets of 58, 64, 76, 218, 261, 263, 373, 387, 388, 390, 393, 394, 591, 611. 624 and others. Good exchange or cash if cheap. A. E. PRICE, Grant Park, Ills. ARE you; COLLECTING Postage Stamps? I have a few for sale to beginners. Several good books to sell. Write, RAYMOND C. FULLER, Box 524, Windsor, Vermont. FOR SALE.— ■•Birds and All Nature," Vols. I to VI inclusive, in fine condition, unbound, 312 beautiful colored plates, mostly birds. $5.00 cssh gets them. ALBERT F. GANIER, BowmarAve., Vicksburg, Miss. WANTED.— To exchange fifty dollars ($50) worth of first-class sets of this county for Coues' Key or Ridgway's Manual or for Egg Tools. BURNELL FRANKLIN, Pasadena, Calif. HEAR YE! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! This is to certify that my advertisements in the Oolo- GiST have paid me better than have the com- bined ads. in most of the amateur and natural science papers. Ads. in the Oologist always bring returns, and It is safe to say that there is no paper having three times the circulation of this widespread periodical- which can give equal satisfaction. MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. WANTED :— Skeletons and Skulls, all kinds, in rough and mounted. Bird and Mammal Skins, Reptiles and Batrachians in alcohol or formalin. Desire correspondents in all parts of United States, Mexico :and Canada. Back numbers of papers on Natural History and sci- entific books wanted. Offer in exchange fifty species finely prepared Invertebrates in forma- lin, eastern bird skins, etc. Correspondence solicited. F. P. DROWNE, 20 Benefit St„ Providence, R. I. FOR SALE:— Clutches of European species. White Gryfalcon, Gryfalcon, Merlin. Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Golden Eagle, Gray Sea Eagle, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk. Honey Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon. Hobby Egyptian Vulture. Apply. GORTON, 2 Upper Glouces- ter St., I Pendleton, England. 171 CHOICE SETS of White Pelican, Laughing Gull, Willet, Wilson's Plover, Foster's Tern, Clapper Rail Black Skimmer, Green Heron and many others for sale very cheap. M. T. CLECKLEY, 4.57 Greene St., Augusta, Ga. 164 WANTED:— Eggs in sets with nests of all Warblers, Waders, Vireos and Thrushes. Send list of what you have and cash or ex- change price. Send 10c for large illustrated catalog. CHAS.K.REED, 75 Thomas St., Wor- cester, Mass. WANTE D— To correspond with all interested in New York State Ornithology. DR. MAR- CUS S. FARR, State Museum, Albany,N.Y, 164 TO hlXCHANGE:— Odd numbers of Auk, Nutt. Orn. Bull.. O. and O., Oologist, and a score of other papers and periodicals, catalog- ues and books on fishes, reptiles, birds, &c. Younger members of my family are interested in philately and I will exchange these books, &c. for stamps. Write for particulars and state what you have, enclosing stamp for reply. MORRIS GiBBS. M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. TO EXCHANGE:— Will ex. my process of Rapid Taxidermy complete. Full instructions for preserving birds, mammals, fish's heads, deer heads, &c., &c., with one pound of com- pound, prepared and ready for use, and com- plete directions for dressing skins and pelts with the hair on for rugs, robes and hangings, together with instructions as to starting a class. Will ex. for $3 worth of stamps of an average value of 2c. You to pay the express- age on my package, which will be 20 or see. This is the process which I have been selling for $3 cash, but will sell it to you for $1 cash. Remember that I also send the formula for making the compound, and give every detail connected with this, the most popular style of mounting specimens. Address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. TO EXCHANGE.— "Maynard's Eggs" and "Silloway's Common Birds" for skins.of adult male Harlequin and Oldsquaw Ducks. Two Al skins of Massena Quail for wading birds. GLEN RINKER, Unionville. Mo. "UNEEDA" pair of climbing irons to make your collecting easy. They will save your shins in climbing large trees. I have several pair which I will sell while they last for 75 cts. Send quick. CHAS. McGEE, Leavenworth, Kas. BOOKS I have thousands of volumes relating to Natural History. In case I've offered anything during the past year which you can use please favor me with list of wants and allow me to quote 'SPEC- IAL' ' prices. All must be sold. Your attention is particularly called to my Book Lists in the June-July and October (pagfs 142-143) 1899 Oologists. If I've anything left which you want or can use I would be pleased to be in- formed of the fact and will endeavor to see that the matter of ''price" will not be a barrier in making a transfer. Frank H. Lattin> Publisher of Oologist, Albion, N. Y. Our lee ■ Jlurned if v,£ fail. Any cue sending sketch aud descrip'.icu of any iuveiition \viU. promptly receive our opinion free conce^ning the paten;:il)ility of .same. "How to Obtain a Patent" sent upon request. Patents secured through us advertised for sale at our expense. Patents taken out thvoush us receive special notice, without charge, in The Patent Record, an illustrated aud widely circulated journal, consulted by Manufacturers and Investors. Send for sample copy FREE. Address, VICTOR J. EVANS & CO. (Patent Attorneys,) Evans Building, WASHINGTON. O. C> THE OOLOGIST 35 Have you tried my process of Rapid Taxidermy? If not you will be gratified by a big surprise. There is money to be made by the preservation of specimens for the market or the school, par- lor, office and den. Any boy. girl or sportsman may learn this method at the first attempt, and decorate the trophies and birds of the neigh- borhood. The cost is next to nothing, and when several go in and work together, there is no cost. You may make money in any town •or the country. On receipt of $i.oo cash or stamps I will send the complete printed instructions to mount Birds, Mammals, Heads, etc , and one pound of the Preservative, ready prepared for the work ; together with complete directions for dressing skins with the hair on. for rugs, robes and hangings, and in addition I will make the extra inducement of offering the for- mula for making the Preservative Compound, with the privilege of selling the same. The process will be exchanged for $3.00 worth of stamps, or for other exahange. What liave you to offer? Address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. . Mounted Birds. American Crow $ 1 00 American Herring Gull 2.% Blue Jay 1 00 Screech Owl $ 1 25 Great Horned Owl 3 00 Snowy Owl 8 00 Mallard 150 Blue- winged Teal ISO American Merganser 1 50 American Golden- eye 1 50 1 pair Buffleheads elegantly mounted un- der 18x26 in. Oval Convex Glass shade, well worth $25. Only 13 00 Four (4) Snow Buntings, winter scene, under 16x22 in. Oval Convex Glass shade. Regular price, $25.00. Only.. 13 00 I can also furnish A ]Ko. i Skins of the following species at only 25 cts. each or five (5) your selection for $1.00: American Crow, American 'Crossbill, Indigo Bunting. Cedar Waxwing, Blue Jay, Mourning, and Black-throated Green Warblers. Black Squirrel, skins $ 60 " " mounted 1 60 All specimens carefully packed, safe delivery guaranted and shipped by mail, express or freight (cheapest way) at purchasers expense. Birds in meat. Specimens collected and mounted to order. Over twenty (SO) years ex- perience as a taxidermist. No lists. Corres- pondence solicited from parties meaning busi- ness. Address JOHN RITTENBERG Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. Marine Curios and Shells. I make a specialty in collecting, pre- paring and selling anything in tlie line of Marine Specimens obtainable on the Gulf Coast. I sell to the Collector as well as to the Retail, Wholesale and Jobbing trade. J. H. HOLMES, Dunedin, Fla. Barrels ol Money!!! Some People Have Them. I HAVE Barrels of Minerals. Which must be turned into a little un >ney \ou can buy at Your own terms. Part of the stock consists of a tine old collection, containing many rare and desirable European specimens Selections sent on approval iore.s;pon- sible parties. Will exchange minerals and old drift wood for fireplaces, for Indian relics, antiquities and curios. Shall close present stock at auction soon. Send stamp for catalog of sale. To PARIS:— Send for my list of European Tours. F. G. HILLMAN. 1036 Acushnet Ave , New Bedford, Mass. 36 THE OOLOGIST NEW LISTS. J list out. New lists of Single Eggs, Skins, Stamps, etc. If you are interested send for same mentioning your specialty. Tell your friends also if interested. Naturalist's sup- plies at lowest rates. ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. Pacific Ocean j^ird^, Study skins and mounted specimens collected and prepared to order, expert work at reasonable pri(^es, CDrre.'^pon- dpnce solicited. Exchanges with for- eign collectors desireii. BERNARD BRETHERTON, Newport Ore U.S. A. Ill VAR CHOICE CURIOSITIES, 18c; 19 fflllli 10 Rare Relics, 8.ic; 'lOO Sea Shells, 2,5c; 10 varieties Fossils, 21c; 2 old coins, 8c; Gold K dollar, 40c; !4 dollar, 80c; 12 large Sea Shells, 20c; my price list and 25 Polished Sea Shells, 8c. W. P. ARNOLD, Peacedale, R. I. For Sale. A 1 sets, cream and pick of hundreds of sets of Eag-les, Vutures, Hawks and Falcons; both American and European. Also Sea Birds, Waders, Owls, ETC Positively original data. Send for my list. Terms cash (absolutely). Order early if you desire first choice. Address, CM. GARY, 410 Grant Ave.. Plainfield, N. J. SPECIAL NOTICE. Best Steel Climbers, strapped, advanced 82.50' Bendire's Life Histories, Vol. I 7.75 Western Grebe, 4 sets, 4 eggs 1.20 Recr'ation. new subs , and Western Ornith- ologist 90 Osprey Vol II, complete ... .90 121b. Willow Fish Basket 1.30 New lists, Books, Periodicals. Tools, Sup- plies, Eggs. Send for them I will save you money. Fine line Fish Tackle and Rods. BENJAMIN HOAG, Stephentown, N. Y. This Spring You will need Books, Supplies, etc. Send stamp for list of Supplies, Birds Eggs, Miner- als, Shells, etc. Stamp list just out. A copy of my "Directions for Collecting Eggs" free with Oologist's Supply list. E. H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. Marine Shells and Curios. I am now in a position to furnish in quantity all of the best species collected on the Gulf Coast and will be pleased to furnish prices on applica- tion. Best of reference given and satisfaction guaranteed. Collections sent on approval to par- ties giving satisfactory reference. Any not ap- proved can be returned at my expense. Address all orders to A. J. BARNES, Dunedin, Fla. JAMES P. BABBITT, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Taxidermists' Supplies, Bird Skins, Eggs & Publications. Fine Imported Glass Eyes a Speeialty. Illustrated Catalogue and large monthly bulle- tin of bargains in Birds Skins and Eggs free upon application. TAUNTON, MASS. BIRD-LORE For February, the first number of Volume II, contains a full-page portrait of the late Elliott Coues, a list of over 50 prominent ornithogists, residing throughout the United States and Canada who have consented to aid bird students by responding to their re- quests for information and advice, and, among others, the following articles: "Con- cerning Birds' Tongues," (12 illustrations) by F. A. Lucas; "Ttie Economic Value of Gulls," (illustrated) by Frank M. Chapman; "Bird Study at Oberlin College." by Lynds Jones; "Every-day Study of Birds for Busy People, including a method of Recording Notes." by W. H. C. Pynchon;" "The Season's Flight of Crossbills," (illustrated) from notes by William Brewster, J. N. Clark, and others; "The Blue-winged Warbler in Southern New York in January," by Elizabeth G Britton;" "Where the Grebes' Breasts Come from," by Vernon Bailey. 20 cents a copy. One Dollar a year. THE MACMILLAN CO., Englewood, N. J., or 66 Fifth Ave., New York City. The Oologist. VOL. XVII. NO. 3. ALBION, N. Y., MARCH, 1900. Whole No. 164 The Oologist. A Monthly Publication Devoted to OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. FRANK H. LATTIN, Editor and Publisher, ALBION, N. Y. Correspondence and Items of Interest to the student of Birds, their Nests and Eggs, solicited from all. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION : Single subscription -500 per annum Sample copies 5c each The above rates Include payment of postage. Each subscriber Is given a card good for a Want, Exchange or For Sale Notice. (This card Is redeemable at any time within one year from date thereon.) Subscriptions can begin with any number. Bacli numbers of the Oologist can be furnished at reasonable rates. Send stamp for descrip- tions and prices. ^^Remember that the publisher must be noil fled by letter when a subscriber wishes his paper stopped, and all arre.arages must be paid. ADVERTISING RATES : 5 cents per nonpareil line each Insertion. 12 lines In every inch. Seven inches In a col- nmn and two columns to the page. Nothing Inserted for less than 25 cents. No "special rates," 5 cents per line Is "net," "rock bottom," "Inside," "spot cash" rate from which there Is no deviation and no commission to agents. If you wish to use 5 lines or less space It will cost you 25 cents; 100 lines, $5.00; lOoO lines, $50.00. "Trade" (other than cash) advertise- ments will be accepted by special arrangement only and at rates from double to Ave times cash rates. Due Bills and Cards payable in advertis- ing will be honored only at regular rates in force at the date of issuance of said bill or card. Remittances should be made by Draft, Express or Postofflce Money Order, Registered Letter or Postal Note. Unused U. S . Postage Stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums un- der one dallar. Make Money Orders and Drafts payable and address all subscriptions and com- munications to FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y. Nesting Materials. The materials that birds use for nest building are many and various; and we can almost say that everything is used in nest construction by some species of bird. Among the varied assortment we shall find bones and stones, string and raj?s, hair and feathers, roots and bark, catkins and plant down, cast-off skins of insecf", snakes and even small m«m- mals' pelts, and hundreds of. other arti- cles too numerous to mention. These articles are . selected by the birds in ihe construction 'sa. Subscribers desiring to purchase , additional premiums can do so in lots netting 50c or over at one-half prices quoted . New Subscribers are always in demand and for each an old one may secure premiums to the amount of 50 cents may be selected. Remit in most conv enient manner, but do not send sums of $1.00 or over loose in your letter. All premiums are sent .PREPAID. Address all orders plainly and in full. FRANK H LATTIN, Publisher, ALBION, N. Y. BIRDS EGGS; Singles. Chuck-wlUs-widow 8 00 Florida Nighthawk 75 Mew Gull 35 Western Gull 40 .Skua 75 California Brown Pelican.. 1 00 Snowy Heron 15 Louisiana Heron 15 Little Blue Heron 15 American Coot 10 Curlew 75 Kingbird 05 Purple Grackle 05 Florida Grackle 15 Brewer's Blackbird 05 Loggerhead Shrike 10 Bell's Vireo 15 Shoveller 50 Northern Eider 50 White-faced Glossy Ibis.. 1 00 Wood Ibis 1 00 Great Blue Heron 40 Green Heron 15 Bl'k-crowned Night Heron 15 Red-necked Phalarope 75 Whimbrel 50 Lapwing 20 Killdeer 20 Bob-white 10 Ring Pheasant 35 Mourning Dove... _ 05 Burrowing Owl 20 Florida Burrowing Owl. . 1 25 Road-runner 25 Golden-fr'ted Woodpecker 50 Cassin's Kingbird 25 Mexican Horned Lark 75 American Crow 10 Fish Crow _ 35 Starling _ 10 Red-winged Blackbird 05 Tri-colored Blackbird 15 Orchard Oriole 05 Boat-tailed Grackle 15 House Finch 05 Gray-tailed Cardinal 35 Painted Bunting 10 Yellow-breasted Chat 10 Bewick's Wren 25 Mockingbird 05 Brown Thrasher 05 Red-leg Turtle 10 Moorhen 15 Mute Swan 2 00 European House Sparrow 05 European Tree Sparrow.. 15 European Blackbird 05 European Redstart 05 European Robin 10 Jackdaw 15 Rook 15 White-throat 05 Chafllnch 05 Greenfinch 05 Yellow Bunting 05 Hedge Sparrow 10 Song Thrush 05 Sand Martin 05 Willow Warbler 10 Sets. Gannet,l-1 50 Green Heron' 1-4 63 Brk-crow'dNightHeronl-3 45 Bell's Vireo 14 60 Yellow-breasted Chat 1-4... 40 Brown Thrasher, 1-4 20 American Crow, 1-5 50 Lapwing. 1-4 _ 80 Painted Bunting, n-5 75 Mourning Dove 1-2 10 Boat-tailed Grackle 1-3 45 Red-winged Blackbird 1-4.. 10 Tri-colored Blackbird 1-4. 60 Orchard Oriole l-=i 30 European Blackbird, 1-4 .. 25 Yellow Bunting, 1-3 20 Chaffinch. 1-5 30 Greenfinch, 1-5 30 Redstart, 1-5 30 Song Thrush, 1-4 25 White-throat, 1-5 30 SEA SHELLS. Worm Shell, Gulf Mex $ 25 Ark Shell, Gulf Mex 15 Bubble Shell 05 Helix Zebuensis, Philip'nes 25 Helix fideles, Oregon 25 Quoit Shell (y^) 05 Magpie. Bahamas 15,35 Many-lined Bulimulus 05 E. I. Clam (M) 15 Neritina reclivata, Fla 5, 10 Stair Case CerUhidea, Fla. 10 Angel Wing (>vn has a square patch of yellow about the size of a ten cent piece. In the female, this spot is wanting, the head being a glossy black uniformly with the rest of the upper parts. Its habitat is Northern North Amer- ica, from the Arctic Regjons south to the southern border of Canada. The food of these northern Woodpeckers is of a nature calculated to render them the most beneficial, economically con- sidered, of all the Woodpeckers. The few stomachs examined by the U. S. Department of Agriculture showed 83 per cent, of their food to be of animal matter, while only 17 per cent, was vegetable. Of the 83 per cent, of ani- mal matter, 68 per cent, consisted of wood-boring beetles; 11 per cent, of Lepidopterous larvae (caterpillars), probably also wood-borers; and 9 per cent, of adult beeitles, ants and other Hymenopterous insects. Thus does this energetic btrd with but three toes do much towards the preservation of the stately pines in the Northland where he dwells. So far as I know there are no records for the occurrence of this northern Woodpecker in Western New York ex- cepting the two instances here related by myself. The first of these instances is of a male specimen taken about October 15, 1883, on the bank of Oak Orchard Creek near Two Bridges (Carlton) by Mr. Andrew Jewett of Albion. It was ham- mering and feeding in the dead top of a pine tree. If visits are to be expected from this northern bird, we should cer- tainly look for them in the midst of the cold of the winter, and so it is some- what remarkable that this bird should have been taken here so early In the fall. But there is no chance for any mis-identification in this case, even though this specimen has now been lost trace of, for the yellow crown-patch and the three toes, and the uniformly black back, are features which even the un-technical observer would use in di- agnosis, and of these three features Mr. Jewett has a vivid recollection. The second specimen referred to was only recently taken and is now in my collection thjough the kindness of Mi . F. A. Macomber of Murray.this county, who secured it near that place on the 23d of February last. It was on the banks of Sandy Creek near what is called Arnold's Pond. When first ob- served it was in a hemlock, but soon flew out and alighted upon a beech near its base. Mr. Macomber, recog- nizing it as something out of the or- dinary, at once shot it, and mailed the skin to me, same now being in my col- lection. It is a female, the crown- 68 THE OOLOGISf. patch, of course, wanting; the entire upper parts being uniformly black from the bill. The specimen exhibits the following measurement: Length, 9.25: wing, 5; tail, 3; bill, 1.12; tarsus, about .75. It Was on February 23d this bird was tak- en. In the days immediately following a sudden cold snap with snow and zero weather followed. Evidently this bird moved southward just in advance of the cold wave. And so it is that our little county of Orleans claims record for the only two occurrences, so far as known, of this rare Woodpecker in Western New York. If there are other occurrences, I have been unable by perusing all the ornithological publications of the coun- try for several years back, to find any record of them. When shall we begin to say that there is nothing left to learn about birds, or that the chances are small for securing anything rare any more; or that winter has no advantages? Indeed the winter offers great opportunities to the stu- dent of birds. Only last week (March 8th) when the landscape was every- where covered with a thick mantle of white a company sf six White-winged Crossbills [Loxia leucoptera) visited the pine trees in the door yard next adjoin- ing my own, feeding upon the cones. Males they were in bright plumage, and very interesting because very rare. Such occurrences as these make the enthusiastic bird-lover to exclaim in the words of the poet: "Winter! I love thee- All unlovely as thou seem'st And dreaded as thou art." The Nesting- of the Ruffed Grouse Within City Limits. In the early spring of '98 it was my good fortune to discover a nest of the Ruffed Grouse. On May 8th. I was walking through a small patch of woods looking for crows' nests. I happened to look under a small pine tree by the side of the path and much to my sur- prise I saw a female Ruffed Grouse sit- ting there. Her plumage blended so perfectly with the dead leaves that it was purely by chance that I noticed her. She evidently thought her disguise was perfect as she did not move a feather. I stood looking at her for fully three minutes until my curiosity got the bet- ter of me. Kneeling down beside her I gently touched her tail feathers and off she went like a shot. I was interes- ted to note that as she did so she brush- ed some dead leaves over the eggs with her wings and feet. So successfully was this done that the eggs were almost wholly covered. Carefully picking the leaves off I was delighted to find a set of eleven eggs. These afterwards prov- ed to be very slightly incubated. After the female had been flushed from the nest, I did not again catch a glimpse of her. The eggs were laid in a slight hol- low in the ground lined with dead leaves and a few feathers. It was inter- esting to note that this nest was within 50 yards of a road ana within a few yards of the boundary line marking the limits of the city of Boston. Abbot Peterson, Jamaica Plain, Boston. Least Bitterns Observed in Pennsyl- vania. While camping on Ten Mile Creek near Hackeny's Station, Washington Co., Pa., with two friends, I found the Least Bittern in small numbers. On July 5, 1899 we were at the creek, I was for turtles. The other two had gone up a smaller stream. I heard them shoot- ing and when they had returned they presented me a mangled Least Bittern. One shot from a 32 20 Marlin rifle did the work. They had flushed it from the bank of the stream ^in which the water was but a few inches deep) and it had flown about fifty yards and lit on a THE OOLOGIST. 59 fence post, then they shot it with a rifle (the shotgun being at camp.) The same day I saw another flying through the air about fifty feet high. While we were there we saw several more. I knew the bird at sight for I have found them breeding in Northwestern Missouri. I have a set in my collection which I col- lected in Atchinson Co. Mo., June 27, 1898. In Warren's "Birds of Pennsyl- vania;" he says: "The Least Bittern I have found in this State only as a rather rare visitor during the spring and fall migrations. This species is sometimes, though rarely, observed in Pennsylvan- ia during the breeding season." It is said to breed occassionally in Crawford and Erie counties. It is my opinion that they breed here. I intend to visit this locality the coming season and will try and find out if it breeds here. E. R. Forrest, Washington, Pa. An Early Sora. We have had in Buffalo and vicinity a very heavy snow fall, during last week and Mar^h 5th, a very heavy wind blew from southerly direction. A young man living in one of our residence streets, going into the yard, saw a queer look- ing bird struggling in the snow bank. He experienced no trouble in catching it and bringing it into the house. The next day he brought it to me for identi- fication. To my surprise it proved to be a Sora or Carolina Rail, which usual- ly make their appearance from the south in this vicinity in the middle of April. As these swamp birds travel very slow during their migration and never fly very high, the birds must have been thrown out of their course by the pre- vailing gale. It died the same evening and by disecting it I found it to be a mere akeleton, with no food of any kind in the body. Ed. Reinecke, Buffalo, N. Y. Our Audubon Class. Our "Bird Class" called the "Alpha," began its existence in the spring of 1899 and with a membership of about a score. At the present date we have twice that number while the member- ship is still growing. It is composed of about an equal number of boys and girls and it must be said that the girls are the most epthusiastic workers both in the field and at the meetings. The boys are equally anxious to get in the woods on a trip but they seem to lack in a large part the love for actual study, and prefer ball and boating to actual observation. Perhaps you may wish to hear of our society from my point of view and of the work that we are doing and expect to accomplish the coming season. Our chief patrons are Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Kleinstuck who live at about a mile and a half from the city, and whose residence we reach by the elec- tric cars running by their commodious house and grounds. This kind Qouple takes special delight in advancing the cause of the birds and gives time and influence in the furtherance of this worthy project which is to promote the welfare of the bird world, as well as to cause a love for the stuiy among the members of the town and country. One of the chief attractions in the grounds at "Saxonia" is a large log cabin, built in the Adirondac style, and of huge size. There is au immense fire-place at one end which is capable of taking in great logs and adds one of ihe many charms to the pleasing interi- or. The walls are decorated with ancient arms, and the discarded blunderbuss and pepperbox as well as the modern mauser and Cuban machete are arranged with other curiosities up- on the well matched logs or capacious mantle. Many fur rugsare on the pol- ished floor, giving an incongruous but not unpleasant appearance to the cabin 60 THE OOLOGIST. of the wilds built in civilized quarters, and when decorative art joins hands with the wilder aspects of the primitive methods of the settlers we are royally entertained in this artistic cabin but our meeting are mainly held weekly in the city, and usually on Thursday afternoon and directly after school hours. At one meeting we had a contest as to who could name the most species of birds from the pictures. At other meet- ings we have had bird skins to examine and at all of our meets we have origin- al papers while the older members speak to us on various topics connected with bird life. During • the season we have made several trips into the coun- try as a party, while many small par- ties or pairs of students made many trips in various directions in search of bird notes. In the season of '99 we re- corded (76) species of birds in this neighborhood, but of course this list does not include many of the water and shore birds, which are rather diflScult to observe, at least by the majority of our class. The smaller summer resi- dents were carefully noted and nearly all of the students were able to name a bird on sight, while many could tell a species by flight, and again, some could name a songster from its notes in near- ly every case. Our bird class has been a great pleas- ure and we shall continue our investi- gations the coming season, with the prospect of increasing our knowledge and our membership as well. The suggestion is made that all bird- lovers take up the work of bird protec- tion in their neighborhood and form societies for the study of our feathered friends. In addition to the economic value to be gained by protecting the beautiful and useful birds of our land, we shall also have the pleasure of familiarizing ourselves with the songs and habits of our little summer neigh- bors. We can watch their ways with- out destroying Jthem, and all readers must know that our birds need protec- tion, for they are too often needlessly destroyed. I am a believer in collect- ing specimens, but there are limits, and it is hoped every boy and girl will deal fairly with the graceful pleasing birds of the fields and woodlands. Do not let greed make you forgetful of the rights of these "favorites of creation" as they have been so beautifully called. It is far from necessary to shoot so many birds and gather so many eggs in order to make an impression on a nat- uralist. Your actual worth as an ob- server will be far more appreciated if you study their habits and take notes in your field book. A well filled note book is far more entertaining than a collection of eggs and skins of which the gatherer knows next to nothing. Now do not think that I am trying to diminish the true worth of the legiti- mate collector. On the contrary I am in favor of collecting but there are lim- its, and I am speaking in favor of the birds. Be reasonable fellow collectors and make it a poiut to spend more time with your note book and less with your skinning knives and blow pipes. Kathryne Gibbs, Kalamazoo, Mich. A Tame Shrike. About the 1st. of February while out walking 1 noticed a Loggerhead Shrike, [Lanius ludoviciamis) sitting on a tree in the yard. I said "Halloo Butchie" .. nd great was my surprise to see it hop around and look at me, then I knew it was the same old bird I used to feed from my hands. I hunted around and collected nine crickets, eight of which he took from my hand. I think it is very strange that he should remember this for he had not been fed before for eight or ten months. This bird had evi- dently heard that the "early bird catches the worm" for he was seen several times with nest material in his bill, Feb- ruary 10th. This bird had never been tamed. Donald B. Ohlinger, Winter Haven, Fla. THE OOLOGIST. 61 An Easter Offer. To any person who will send me ^i.oo in acceptance of the ^2.75 for |>1.00 offer which I make in March Oologist, and will enclose lo cents additional to help cover mailing expenses, I will send gratis and prepaid, $2.00 Worth More of the Premiums Offered, purchaser's selection. Thus for only $i.io, you will receive prepaid, The Oologist one year, one Exchange Coupon, and Premiums to the amount of ^4.00, your selection, All for $1.10. In case you have already sent in your subscription for 1900, you can have The Oologist mailed to some nature-loving friend and the Premiums to yourself, or vice versa. This Offer will hold good during the month of April only — no later — and is made, first, to increase The Oologist subscription list; second, to reduce a very large stock of the Premiums offered; and third and last (but not least) to get your money — for which I offer you more than double value. Address plainly and in full FRANK H. LATTIN, Publisher of Oologist, ALBION, N. Y. 62 THE OOLOGIST. Gibb's Celebrated Process of Rapid Taxidermy. In Practical Use for Over Twenty-five Years. Used everywhere in America. Hundreds of Testimonials. Try and be convinced. Start a class. Money in it. BE YOUR OWN TAXIDERMIST. Naturalists, Collectors, Gunners, Anglers, Outers, Boys, Girls and all others interested in nature and anxious to preserve the specimens taken in the wood and field, have all felt the need of a simple method of pres- ervation, which is free from intricacies and inexpensive. There is a method of rapid taxidermy now in extensive use which meets the requirements of all amateurs who wish a practicable yet sim- ple and inexpensive method of preserving the trophies of the outing and collecting trip. This is not the old system of so-called stuffing, so ex- pensive, laborious and disapointing, but is a rapid system, which any- one can learn at once and which is guaranteed to give satisfaction. By this process you may preserve the beautiful plumage of the grouse and woodcock, or the pike's or buck's head, or the showy feathers of the tanager. Boys, girls and all others can do good work and may make money, as mounted heads and birds find a ready sale, and besides you may teach your friends and decorate the schoolroom, office and dining- room with native birds and other attractions. If you are in doubt, then get your friends to go in with you and start a class, for when several work together there is an advantage, and the expense is next to nothing. On receipt of $i.oo, cash or stamps, I will send full printed instruc- tions for mounting birds, heads, mammals, etc., and all materials for mounting and preserving specimens — including prepared compound, to- gether with full directions for dressing skins with the hair on for rugs and robes, so that you will not be to the expense of one cent and will send full directions how to start a class. Remember I guarantee satisfaction or ??ioney refunded. Mention Oologist and address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., KALAMAZOO, MICH. For a limited time I will send my process complete, including the compound, on the receipt of $3.00 worth of postage stamps, averaging 2c in value. This offer holds good until May i, 1900. THE OOLOGIST. 63 THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Has published three-fourths of the most interesting descriptions of the nests and eggs of rare species of the West, which have been printed during the past six years, including the Hermit Warbler, Western Ev- ening Grosbeak, White-throated Swift, California Vulture, etc., etc. It is now publishing "THB CONDOR" FORMERLY The Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club. A crisp and breezy i6 to 24 page bi-monthly bird journal, illustrated as required. The articles are all from field workers and have a ring which enthuses the live ornithologist. The only Bird Magazine devoted solely to the Ornithology of the Great West. Always out on time! You want it! Subscription $1 a year. Sample copy, 20 cents. For sample, ad- dress C. BARLOW, Editor-in-chief, Santa Clara, Cal. Subscriptions to DONALD A. COHEN, Business Manager, Alameda, Cal. Subscriptions may commence with No. i (January, 1899). "You might as well be out of the Bird World altogether as go without The Osprey. " TTHR OBF>RRY An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Popular Ornithology. Edited by THEODORE GILL, in Co-operation with ROBERT RIDGWAY, L. STEJNEGER, C. W. RICHMOND and Other Eminent Ornithologists. The Osprey does not keep a poet, but it has an office cat who can catch more birds than all the poets put together. If you don't believe this, read The Osprey. If you want to buy, sell or exchange specimens, advertise in The Osprey. If you want to keep in with other Bird Men, subscribe for The Osprey. If you want to write about Birds, you can do it in The Osprey, provided you know how to write. If you like a beautifully printed and profusely illustrated magazine, all about Birds you MUST HAVE The Osprey. TERMS: ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. Published by THE OSPREY COMPANY, 321-323 /\.}4 St., Washington, D. C. 64 THE ()0LU(t1ST BARG/\INS IN BOOKS FOR THE NATURALIST. I have them by the thousand and offer below many very rare and desirable titles at prices way below actual value. Of most I have only single sets or copies. All are new or good as new unless otherwise stated. Prices are by mail, express or freight at purchaser's expense— will ship cheapest way. Money returned at my expense if books wanted are sold. Prices good un- til may I, 1900 only. After that date, write first. Special discounts on large orders. Remit in most convenient way. Address plainly and in full FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, ORLEANS CO., N. Y. Allen, A Monograph of the Bats of North America, 198p, 38pl $ 1 40 Bendire, Life Histories of North Ameri- can Birds. Rare and almost unobtain- able. Only a few vols, on the market at any price. Vol. I, $9; vol. II, ^7 50, or both vols 16 00 Brown, Atlas of Fossil Conchology with descriptions and Illustrations. 98 full page tinted steel plates containing 3500 figures. Royal 4to. London, 1889. ($20.00) new _ 8 00 Chamberlain, Land, Game and Water Birds (Nuttall), 900p, with plates and many illustrations, 2 vols bound in 1.. 4 75 Chapman, Frank M., A Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North America 2 35 Cope, The Batrachla of North America, 520p. 86pl, 119fig 2 35 Cope, Vertebrata of Tertiary Formations, 4t0, 1043p, 134pl 3 20 Coues, Field and General Ornithology— A Manual of the Structure and Classifi- cation of Birds with Instructions for Collecting and Preserving Specimens, 344p, l]2flg 2 25 Dana, Manual of Geology, 1st ed., 800p; over lOOOflgs ($5), 1.45; 2d ed., 1 90 Davie. Methods in the Art of Taxidermy, ($10), now out of print and publishers supply exhausted, will soon be very rare 3 85 Donaldson, The George Catlin Indian Gal- lery with Memoir and Statistics, 940p, 144pl and maps (3.50) 1 10 Goss, Col. N. S., History of the Birds of Kansas (7.50), new and lasted 4 25 Headley, Structure and Life of Birds, 412p, 78flg, 1895 1 70 Ingersoll, E., Bird.s' Nesting (1.25) 80 Jardine's (Sir William) Naturalists Library. Post 8vo. Each volume con- tains 200 to 350p and about .SO plates engraved on steel and colored from nature, also many wood cuts, original set cost $.50. Have .lust received a broken set in poor condition, loose in covers &c. Text and plates, however. In clean and fair condition. Edin- burgh, 1835-1840. I have: Ichthyology (Pish), 4 vols., lot only 1 20 Ornithology (Birds), 14 vols., lot only.... 6 30 Jones, Casseirs Book of Birds, four vols., 1250p, 400 large ills., 40 col. pi., 89 col. eggs _ 7 20 Jordon and Gilbert, synopsis of the Fishes of North America, 1018p 3 30 Kingsley, Popular Natural History, A Des- cription of Animal Life from theLow est Forms Up to Man, 2 vols, 728p, 507 Ills,, many pi., Boston '90 7 25 Klrby ("Lloyd's Natural History") Moth and Butterflies. 5 vols., each containing about 3(X)p text, 158pl., beautifully and accurately illustrat ing over 500 species true to nature, 1897 6 80 Lesquereaux, Cretaceous and Tertiiary Floras, 4to, 29.5pp, 60pl Lydekker, ("Lloyds") Mammals: Mam- mals of Great Britain, Marsupials, Carnivora, 3 vols., 300p. ea.. 100 col. pi.. Maynard, The Butterflies of New Eng- land, 4to, 76p, 10 hand col. pi. showing 250 life size specimens, rare, valuable, out of print Morris. Nest and Eggs of British Birds, 2 vol., 154 colored plates, 1859 Mcllwrath, Thomas, Birds of Ontario ($2) Nature, Vol. XXXI to XXXIV, unbound, cost$12 _ Ogilvie-Grant, ("Lloyds"), A Hand- Book to the Game Birds, 2 vols.of 300p ea., 43 col. pi., '97 _ Ornithological and Natural History Pub- cations, can furnish back No's of al- most anything published in America during the past 25 years. Write wants Pennsylvania State 2d Geological Stir- vey, 38 vols, cloth, many plates, maps, figs., &c., thousands of nages, $35 Ridgway. Ornithology of Illinois, vol. I, 520p, 33pl., 1889 Scudder, Nomenclator Zoologicus (An Alphabetical list of all Generic names employed by Naturalists for Recent and Fossil Animals from earliest times to 1880), 716p Scudder, Tertiary Insects of North Amer- ica, 4to, 734p, 28pl Sharpe, ("Lloyd's"), A Hand-Book to the Birds of Great Britian, 4 vols, of 300p each, 124 col. plates, '97 Shufeldt, M. D., R. W., Scientific Taxid- ermy for Museums, 71 full page plates 67 pages, text _ Smithsonian Reports, 43 vols, from 1853 to 1895, inclusive Stegneger, Poisonous Snakes of North America, 144p, 19pl, 70fig _ Studer's Birds of North America. 200p, 119 col. pi., imp. 4to; full Morrocco, ($45) Vennor, Our Birds of Prey, or the Eagles, Hawks and Ov^ls of Canada, 30 large photograph plates, ($12.00) Whitlock, The Migration of Birds, 140p '97 90 Wilson, Study of Prehistoric Anthropol- ogy, Hand Book for Beginners, 76p, 20pl, 287flg 95 Wilson, Prehistoric Art. valuable to stud- ents, 340p, 74pl., 325fig 1 40 Wood, Animate Creation. Revised and adopted to American Zoology by Hold- er, 60 parts, complete, 30 page ole- ographs, 60 plates and profusely illus- trated, ($15) 6 00 Ridgway. Hummingbirds, 132p, 46pl, 47fig 1 90 FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. 2 10 3 15 4 75 3 90 1 40 3 20 3 10 5 20 2 90 2 10 1 90 6 20 1 35 20 00 1 35 13 80 4 40 The Oologist 1 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION D(£VOTED TO OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. VOL. XVII. NO. 5. ALBION, N.Y., MAY, 1900. Whole No. 166 Wants, Exchanges, and For Sales. Brief special announcements, "Wants,' "Exchanges" "For Sales," Inserted In this departmenr tor 25c per 25 words. Notices over 25 words, charged at "aerate of one-half cent per each addltlona' word. No notice Inserted for less than 25c. Terms, casi with order. Strictly First-class specimens will be accepted in pa> ment at one-third list rates. What's Your Number? Examine the numher following your name on the wrapper of this month's Oologist. It denotes when your subscription expired or ■will expire. No. 166 your subscription expires with this issue 170 " •• •• " Sept. 1900 173 " •' '• " Dee. " 175 " ■' '■ " Feb., 1901 180 " '• •■ " July, '• Intermediate numbers can easily be deter- mined. If we have you credited wrong we VFisH to rectify. WANTED:— Eggs in sets with nests of all Warblers, Wadei's, Vireos and Thrushes. Send list of what you have and cash or ex- ch ange price. Send 10c for large illustrated catalog. CHAS.K.REED, 75 Thomas St., Wor- cester, Mass. FOR EXCHANGE:-Indian Relics, birds' eggs, mineralp. old books, etc. for Mounted Birds. Address, ASHLAND LIBRARY MUS- EUM, Ashland, Ohio. FOR SALE-— All kinds of house plants and bulbs. Will exchange for shells not in my col- lection. Write Mrs. A. B. CRAWFORD, La- porte, Ind. 25 fine curiosities, 18c; 10 old coins, 25c; 100 sea shells, 20c; 10 relics, 25c; 35 sea shells, 5 rare old stamps. 1 relic. 3 curios and price list all for 10c. WM. P. ARNOLD, Peacedale, R. I. TAXIDERMIST'S OUTFIT:— Contains one heavy Cartilage Knife ; 1 nickeled and engrav- ed Scalpel with tip shaped for detaching skin, muscles, &c ; 1 pair Scissors; 1 pair Forceps; 1 Dissecting Hook; 1 Brain Spoon; 1 pocket Wire Cutter. Instruments best, all packed in polished Hard- wood Case. A better outfit than the one always sold at $3. I have only four outfits and will close them out at onlv $3.20 preimid. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, 'n. Y. BARGAINS:— Two fine pairs of White Fantails, $3.00 per pair; one pair Golden Seabright Bantams, $2 00: one mounted Coop- er's Hawk. $1..50; one Snowy Owl, f.5.00; one American Bull Dog Revolver, double action, 3Scal..rim fire, price $1..50. JAS. O. JOHN- SON, Southington, Conn. THE BITTERN, a new bi-monthly illustrat- ed bird magazine, will be published on June 1st with Glen M. Hathorn as editor. Subscrip- tion price is .50 cents per year. Sample copies ten cents each. Write to the editor at 1600 E. Ave. , Cedar Rapids. la. for sample copy, in- closing ten cents with request. EGGS.— Pacific Loon, $3.00; Red-throated Loon. 75c; Yellow-breasted Sapsucker, 50c; 3 American Bitterns, $1.50; Hairy Woodpecker, 50; total «5 25. All for S3, cash. Address, A. R. WHITTEMORE, 133 Bloor St. E., Toronto, Canada. FOR EXCHANGE.— 5x8 Scoville camera, complete cost me 125, for best offer in sets, shells or minerals; also offer beautifully color- ed butterflies mounted in Denton's 'tablets, very fine, for any of above or Davie's Taxider- my or Smith's List of Butterflies of North America. Have tree shells of Cuba for sale. WM. N. SOUTHER, Groton, Mass. TAXIDERMIST'S COLLECTING GUN. Made tii^ order. Cost me $12.50 and expressage as a de'iler. Can be readily taken apart in center and carried "out of sight.'" Takes reg- ulation 45-70 shell. Gun with complete outfit (50 brass shells, 2.50 primers, 1000 wads, de and re-capper.) AW prepaid only UQfiQ. FRANK, H. LATT:N, Albion, N. Y. FOR SALE.— Red-shouldered Hawk 1-3, 50c: Common Tern 2-3, 14e; Roseate Tern 1-3, 20c: Stormy Petrel 1-1. 7c; Gannet 2-1, 14c; Green Heron 2-4, 84c; Little Blue Heron 1-4, 30c; Louisiana Heron 1-4 30c; Black-chinned Hum- mingbird n-2, 7.5c; Anna's Hummingbird, n-2, 75c; Wood Thrush 4-4, 12; Spotted Sandpiper 1-4, 24. The above prices are per set. All pre- paid at price. JAS. O. JOHNSON, Southing- ton, Conn. WANTED.— Old China. Pewter, Brass and Glassware, Indian and other relics, Furniture, Tinder-boxes, Sun-dials, Pictures, Fire Arms, Weapons, &c. Have for sale or exchange fine old Violin case, foot power for lathe or saw with four speed balance wheel, Indian Relics, Petrified Moss and Wood specimens. Shells, Curiosities, Relics and Souvenirs from histor- ical places. Correspondence solicited. All kinds of relics sold on commission. W. A. HATCH, South Columbia, N. V. 66 I'HE OOLOGJST. PLATE HOLDER-Doubl >. bYjXbyj, Blair Camera Co., ($1.00). prepaid ll4c. FRANK H. LATriN, Albion N. Y. ( C. B VANDERCOOK. Odin 11?. pays 50c per hundred cash for Star, Horse f^ioe. Cross Bow, Good Luck. Drummond's Ni^tural Leaf J. T. tobacco tags.. Those painter on under side. Offer expires November 1st. 167 EGGS for Sale. A. O. U. Nos. Sets of 7 1-2, $\.fyO: 11 IS. 7.=>c; 64 1-3. 40c; 65 1-3, 40c; 79 1-1, 18c; 86 2-1, 20c; 104 1-1. 20c; 105 11. ifl.; 106 8-L 5c; 114 1-2, $1.75; 115 1-2, $1.50; 190 1-4, $1.; 224 14, $1; 228 1-3. $1 50; 294 1-20, $1.; 325 1-2. 60c; 333 3-4. 2.5c; 337 2-2. 40c: 337b 5-2, 40c; 342 1-3. 50c; 37.5a 1-3. $1.15; 375a 1-2, 7.5c; 394a 1-6. $1.; 397 2-3, 1-4, 1-5, 33c per egg. All sets with data first class and prepaid. CHAS. S- THOMPSON, Paso Robles, California. GLASS EYES —Lot No. 1 contains ope pair each Nos. 8 and 15 yellow. No. 9 hazel. No. 18 hrown (Vforth 44c), a,l\ prepaid 24c. Lot ^KTo. 2 contain.s one pair eacb No. 19 brown styy two (veined) for Bear and Nos 23 and 24 styl^ four (veined, long pupil and cornered) for Deer (lot worth $1.21). All prepaid, only 76cts. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. NOTICE.— Owing to lack of specimens and rush of other business I shall be unable to make more exchanges until fall.GUY BRIGGS, Livermore. Maine. I HAVE a good many back numbers of mag- azines (some complete flies), such as Ojprey, Museum, Oologist, Nidologist. Popular Science, Oregon Naturalist, etc. Will exchange for books or any good curios. Send for list if interested. W. H. HILLER, 147 W. 23d St., Los Angeles, Calif. "SNAPS" for TAXIDERMISTS ET. AL:— Chain and Hooks (25c), 16c; 7in Stuffers, spring handle (1.25), 80c; Scissor-handle Stuffers, i2in. (tl.75), $1.05; Scissor-handle Stutfer, 1.5in, ($2.50) $1.60; Bone Cutters, extra fine and heavy,($2.50) $1.60; 38 cal. Wad Cutter, (40c) 22c: Pinning Forceps for Insects ($1.25) 78c; Botanical Col- lecting Can with shoulder strap, size I2x7y2xik in. ($1.,50) $1.10; Tenaculum or Dissecting Hook, folding in handle ($1) 28c. All prepaid f>,t prices quoted, regular prices in ( ). FR'.'-NK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. j. PARTIES wishing A 1 fresh skins of Mani- toba Birds, Downy young, choice sets of eggs, with or without nests Send in your wants to CHRIS P. FORGE, Taxidermist and Collec- tor, Carman, Manitoba. EXCHANGE;— For fresh unblown Wild Goose Eggs, Birds Eggs iij singles or speci- mens, 1 Colt's Rifle. 1857, 1 Colt's Revolver, N. S. N.. 1835, in good condition. GEO. P. AN- DERSON, Box 27, Dannebrog, Neb. WANTED.— Will trade books of all kinds for good matched pairs of ivory Elks teeth or sin- gle teeth; also collections of U. S stamps bought for cash. Address, HALL N. JACK- SON, 36 W. 6th St., Cincinnati, O. 170 HAVE YOU any well mounted Butterflies or showy insects to exchange for eggs this season? Send list. W. H. HILLER, 147 "W. 23d St., Los Angeles, Calif. FOR SALE.— About one doz. Moose feet cut at hock and knee. Mal^e nice fancy table or stool, .50c each; Golden Eagle, skin fresh, $5: Rough-legged Hawk, $1..50; Saw-Whet Owl, $1. These are snaps. CHRIS P. FORGE, Carman, Man. FIELD or MARINE GLASS:— New, worth $10, extension hood, case and shoulder strap, "Jumelle" make. Will send prepaig for only $.5.90. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. WANTED.- The 2nd and 4th annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology. Will pay cash if cheap. J. S. ALLWOOD, Hecla Works, N. Y. AS SOON as the present collecting season is over I will have a number of Calif, sets to ex- change for sets or singles of common showy eggs Desire especially sea birds. W. H. HILLER, 147 W. 2.3d St. Los Angeles, Cal. FOR EXCHANGE.— Good Student's lamp for eggs in sets, pairs, or singles. Also will accept Indian relics, curios, etc. Be quick. C. A. vVHITE, sallneville Ohio. WANTED:— A fresh skin of male Green- wing Teal. Offer $3 worth of sets ; also have sets to exchange. W. A. MEAD, Carmel, N. Y. WANTED.— Chapman's Birds of Eastern North America. Write stating conditions and lowest cash price. GUY H. BRIGGS, Liver- more, Maine. CODDINGTON MAGNIFIER(Miners' glass), diameter ^sin, cost $1.50, prepaid 95cts; also a 3 lens pocket magnifier in rubber case, only 60c. prepaid. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion. N. Y. INDIAN Relics, bird eggs, minerals, old books, etc. Address, ASHLAND LIBRARY MUSEUM, Ashland, Ohio. FOR SALE:— Clutches of European species. White Gryfalcon, Gryfalcon, Merlin, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Golden Eagle, Gray Sea Eagle, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, Honey Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon. Hobby Egyptian Vulture. Apply. GORTON, 2 Upper Glouces- ter St., Pendleton, England. 171 HEAR YE! Hear Ye : Hear Ye I This is to certify that my advertisements in the Oolo- gist have paid me better than have the com- bined ads. in most of the amateur and natural science papers. Ads. in the Oologist always bring returns, and It is safe to say that there is no paper having three times the circulation of this widespread periodical which can give equal satisfaction. MORRIS GIBBS, M. D.. Kalamazoo. Mich. WANTED:— Skeletons and Skulls, alfkinds", in rough and mounted, Bird and Mammal Skins, Reptiles and Batrachians in alcohol or foi'malin. Desire correspondents in all parts of United States, Mexico and Canada. Back numbers of papers on N atural History and sci- entific books wanted. Offer in exchange fifty species finely prepared Invertebrates in forma- lin, eastern bird skins, etc. Correspondence solicited. F. P. DROWNE, 20 Benefit St„ Providence, R. I. INSECT PINS;— 150 best assorted and 3 sheets 3x4x1-16 inch cork. All prepaid, only 20c. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. U. S. WAR CENTS and REBELLION' TOK- ENS, issued 1861-65, same size asU. S. cent now in use, bearing peculiar designs, "Union For- ever," "Not One Cent for Tribute," etc., etc. Some with merchant's names. Becoming rare. Will make neat pocket pieces. Boys, you can dispose of these old and curious war cents to your friends at a good profit. Supply limited. While they last will send one by mail postpaid for only 10c; 3 (each one different) for 25 cts. Stamps taken. O. J. SWANDER, Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio. 171 THE OOLOGIST 67 FOR KXCHANGE.— A. O. U No's. 16, 127, 194, 155, 293, 360a, 3731, 376, 375d, 381, 407, 429, 430. 431,433,434,426.460,462, 466, 471, 475, 481b, 482. 486, 487, 505a, 593, 620, 633a, 633a, 707a, 708. 710, 717b, 721a, 725a, 743a, 751a. Will exchange these for desirable sets of other localities. I espec- ially wish to exchange series for series. Many common ones wanted. Will also sell sets of 3- 127 at $1.00 per set and 16 80-1 at 50c per egg. These are part of my private collection and es- pecially prepared. W. LEE CHAMBERS, Santa Monica, Cal. SNAPS. ~ Offer No. 1 for Taxidermists. 1 Scalpel -$ 50 1 pair Stuffers, lOin 1 60 1 pairnViin. Spring Forceps 30 Ipair5i4in. Plierd 40 1 pair 3in. Wire Cutters. 35 1 Hone Stone 25 1 Poison Brush 18 1 pound Best Preservative 20 I Bunch Wire, 75feet 15 II pairs Glass Eyes, assorted sizes 60 1 Skin Needle ^ 08 1 set Chain and Hooks ' 20 1 bunch Skin Tags 10 1 bunch Artificial Leaves 10 Total $4 95 This lot which contains every thing necessary in making Skins or Mounting Birds, will be shipped by express F. O. B. for only $3.00. or without the lOin. stuffers for only $2.15. Pre- paid price given on application. Offer No. 2 for Oologists. 3 Drills, assorted sizes $ 33 1 Blower, plated 20 1 best Embryo Set, handle and 3 hooks 75 1 pair Tweezers 25 1 Syringe 12 6 Checking Lists 10 1 Caliper Rule S5 100 Datas 20 1 "Directions for Collecting" 05 Total $8.25 This entire^lot will be sent postpaid- for only $1.28. These are samples of the offers I am making to reduce stock before removing to Rochester, N. Y. soon after June 1st. Send stamp for com- plete list if you are interested . ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y- What Did I Do? I sent H. W. KERR, Publisher of the NATURALIST, (Farm) and FANCIERS REVIEW $1.00 for FIVE YEARS sub- scription and FIVE 25 word Exchange Notices and I recommend it to YOU. Its Natural History Department edited by Isador S. Trostler of Omaha, Neb. is in need of your Attention, not to say but what the the Belsjian Hare, Poultry, Pigeon and Pet Stock Departments are all leaders. July 1st this offer expires and subscription advanced to .50c per year. Sample copy free. Ad. Rates based on actual issue. Address, H. W. KERR, Pubr., Blencoe, Iowa. BOOKS I have ";hnusands of volumes relating^ to Nat ural History. In case I've offered anything during the past year which you can use plense favor me with list of wants and allow nie to quote ' SPEC- IAL" prices. All must be sold. Your attention is particularly called to mv Book Lists in the June-July and October (pages 142 143) 1899 Oologists. If I've anything left which you want or can use I would be pleased to be in- formed of the fact and will endeavor to see that the matter of "price" will not be a barrier in making a transfer Frank H. Lattin» Publisher of OoLOGiST, Albion, N. Y. JAMES P. BABBITT, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Taxidermists' Supplies, Bird Skins, Eggs & Publications. Fine Imported Glass Eyes a Specialty. Illustrated Catalogue and large monthly bulle- tin of bargains in Birds Skins and Eggs free upon application. TAUNTON, MASS. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE:— One fine sil- ver Bflat cornet, cost $37.50. Will sell for cash or exchange for Fine Ancient Indian Relics. Cornet has a shank and C attachment. Address C. H. MAUCK, Appleton City, Mo. Have you tried my process of Rapid Taxidermy? If not you vi'ill be gratified by a big surprise. There is money to be made by the preservation of specimens for the market or the school, par- lor, office and den. Any boy, girl or sportsman may learn this method at the first attempt.and decorate the trophies and birds of the neigh- borhood. ;rhe cost is next to nothing, and VFhen several go in and work together, there is no cost. You may make money in any town or the country. On receipt of $i.oo cash or stamps I will send the complete printed instructions to mount Birds, Mammals, Heads, etc , and one pound of the Preservative, ready prepared for the work ; together with complete directions for dressing skins with the hair on, for rugs, robes and hangings, and in addition I will make the extra inducement of offering the for- mula for making the Preservative Compound, with the privilege of selling the same. The process will be exchanged for $3.00 worth of stamps, or for other exchange. What have you to offer? Address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. '68 'THE OOLOGIST. Special Collections of BIRDS' EGGS At Unheard of Prices to Close Out. All specimens are first class, side-blown, true to name. Safe delivery guar anteed. Collection No 1 Contains : Wood Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Heron. Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, American Coot, Lapwing, Killdeer, Bob-white, Florida Burrowing Owl, Flicker, American Crow, Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Tri- colored Blackbird. Orchard Oriole, Purple Grakle, Boat-tailed Grakle, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Gray -tailed Cardinal, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Mock- bird. Catbird. Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush American Robin, Ringed Pheasant. Twenty-nine specimens, one each of the above species, worth $5.60. My price only $1.35 PREPAID. Collection No. 2 Contains : Murre, Razor-billed Auk, White-faced Glossy Ibis, Louisiana Heron, Little Blue Heron, Whimbrel, Black-billed Cuckoo, Belted King- fisher, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Kingbird, Phoebe, Mexican Horned Lark, Fish Crow, Meadowlark, Arkansas Goldfinch, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, California Shrike, Red-eyed Vireo, Chestnut-sided Warbler,Amer- ican Redstart, House Wren, Chickadee. Twenty three species, one specimen of each of the above, worth W 93. My price only 81.35 prepaid. Collection No. 3 Contains: Pied-billed Grebe, Western Gull, Arctic Tern, Shoveller, Northern Eider, Scoter, Curlew, Black Vulture, Swaiu.son's Hawk, American Sparrow Hawk, Burrowing Owl, Road-runner, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Chuck-wills-widow, Flor- ida Night-hawk, Traill's Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Prairie Homed L^rk, V'lue Jay, Bullock's Oriole, Lark Sparrow. Song Spar- row, California Towhee, Barn Swallow. Tree Swallow, r^oggerhead Shrike, Carolina Wren. Bewick's Wren, Wilson's Thrush A single specimen of each of the above 35 species is worth $8 21. My price for entire lot prepaid is only $2.50. European Eggs : Moorhen. Blackbird, White-throat, Red- start, Yellow Bunting, Chaffinch, Hedge Spar- row, Greenfinch, Robin. Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Song Thrush and House Sparrow, My price for one .specimen of e'ach of the above 14 European species is only 36c prepaid. Specials in Single Eggs : Emeu, pi-epaid, only $ 77 Ostrich " " 63 Alligator " '■ 14 Swan " " 48 Wandering Albatross, prepaid, only 2 46 Eggs in Sets : Wood Ibis 1-3, Black-crowned Night Heron 1-4, Florida Burrowing Owl 1-2, American Crow 1-4, Yellow-breasted Chat 1-3, Mockingbird 1-4. Brown Thrasher 1-4, White-throat 1-4, Euro- pean Redstart 1-4, Chaffinch 1-5, Greenfinch 1-5. The above 11 sets catalogue at over $8.00. Entire lot prepaid for only $1 75. American Starlings: Red-winged Blackbird 1-4, Tricolored Black- bird 1-4, Orchard Oriole 1-5, Boat-tailed Grakle 1-3, The above 4 sets worth %\.2h,prepaid for only 35 CENTS, FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N, Y. BIRD SKINS. Worth double my prices but will close them out at prices quoted prepaid. The following are in pairs and prices given are per pai/-.' My price Worth. Prepaid. Royal Tern .$5 00 $2 60 Common Tern 2 00 1 2» Anhinga (female poor) 5 25 2 70 Wood Ibis 8 00 4 00 Yellow-crowned Night Heron. 5 00 2 60 Snowy Plover 2 00 1 05 Florida Red-shouldered Hawk 3 50 1 90 Desert Sparrow Hawk _ 2 00 1 10 Mexican Jacana 3 50 2 00 California Partridge 2 00 1 10 Steller's Jay 3 50 1 50 Cerulean Warbler 1 25 65 Black-throated Gray Warbler.. 1 .50 70 Townsend's Warbler. 4 00 1 75 Vigor's Wren t 50 70 Western Winter Wren....! 1 09 50 Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1 .59 60 Tree Sparrow 50 40 Snowflake 70 30 Of the following I offer single skins only— usually male specimens : My price Worth, postpaid. Yellow- crowned Night Heron, poor female $1 00 60 Pink-sided Junco_ 50 35 Rock Sparrow 1 00 50 Blue Jay 35 25 Oi-egon Towhee 40 25 Slate-colored Junco 25 15 Anna's Hiimmingbird •. 75 45 Phainopepla 1 00 50 Rusty Song Sparrow 50 30 Snowflake 35 15 Parula Warbler 25 SO Black-throated Blue Warbler. 35 25 Myrtle Warbler 25 20 Audubon's Warbler 50 30 Black-poll Warbler 25 20 Black-throated Green Warbler 30 20 Mourning Warbler. 75 40 Red Squirrel 5J 35 On an order of $5.00 or over at my special prepaid prices I'll allow an additional discount of 10 per cent. FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. Collectors, Dealers, Everybody. Take Notice. Owing to my change of loca- tion to Rochester, N. Y. June 1st I am offering unheard of bargains in Glass Eyes, Instru- ments, Birds Eggs, Bird Skins. Minerals, Shells, etc. Send for list quick. Offer limited to month of May. Address ERNEST H, SHORT, Albion, N, Y, The Oologist. VOL. XVII. NO. 5. ALBION. N. Y., MAY, 1900. Whole No. 16& The Oologist. A Monthly Publication Devoted to OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. FRANK H. LATTIN, Editor and Publisher, ALBION, N. Y. Correspondence and Items of interest to the student of Birds, their Nests and Eggs, solicited from all. TERMS OP SUBSCRIPTION: Single subscription soc per annum Sample copies 5c each The above rates Include payment of postage. Each subscriber Is given a card good for a Want, Exchange or For Sale Notice. (This card Is redeemable at any time within one year from date thereon.) Subscriptions can begin with any number. Back numbers of the Oologist can be furnished at reasonable rates. Send stamp for descrip- tions and prices. ^^Remember that the publisher must be noti fled by letter when a subscriber wishes his paper stopped, and all arrearages must be paid. ADVERTISING RATES : 6 cents per nonpareil line each insertion. 12 lines in every inch. Seven Inches In a col- umn, and two columns to the page. Nothing inserted for less than 25 cents. No "special rates," 5 cents per line is "net," "rocls bottom," "Inside," "spot cash" rate from which there is no deviation and no commission to agents. If you wish to use 5 lines or less space it will cost you 25 cents; 100 lines, $5.00; 1000 lines, $50.00. "Trade" (other than cash) advertise- ments will be accepted by special arrangement only and at rates from double to five times cash rates. Due Bills and Cards payable In advertis- ing wlU be honored only at regular rates in force at the date of issuance of said bill or card. Remittances should be made by Draft, Express or Postofflce Money Order, Registered Letter or Postal Note. Unused U. S . Postage Stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums un- der one daUar. Make Money Orders and Drafts payable and address all subscriptions and com- munications to PRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y. tm I a» IT mt rovT omct at hmou, u. t., m moo«d-or nest building, which are perhaps lying in the mud. This mud dries in time and gives the impression that the birds placed iL there intentionally. Nests found in grain fields ur away from run- ning water never have any mud in them, and are loosely constructed of straw and dry grusscs, lined with tine dry grass !iud sometimes horsehair. In tules the nests are seldom higher than two feet above the water, while in grain fields the average is usually three and sometimes even four feet up. I think that perhaps the water under the rushes gives thg bird-; a sense of security which those building above land cannot have, for the danger of having their nests robbed by snakes, or their fledglings destroyed by prowling cats is thus ma- terially lessened. 1 remember when I was a small youngster a terrible commotion which I once noticed among the Blackbirds adjacent to nurhome. The birds (there must have been over one hundred of them,) wero all hovering over a certain spot in the field and making a terrible noise, so I constituted myself an invest- igating committae of one to find, out the trouble. Upon nearing the spot I found a huge gopher snake entwined about a large mustard stalk to which a blackbird's nest was fastened, and just in the act of swallowing a young black- bird almost ready to fly. Two suspic- ious lumps in the snakes body were circumstantial evidence enough to con- vict him of murder in the first degree, while one young bird perched upon the far edge of the nest was viewing in wild eyed horror the disappearance of bird No 3, and no doubt speculating upon the terrible fate which aw aited him also. The old birds were swooping at the snake and endeavoring in every way possible to attract his attention, but could not succeed. Promptly accepting the office of judge, jury and executioner I took Mr. Gopher snake by the tail car- ried him from the field and cracked his skull. The bird he wa-i endeavoring to swallow was all this time fastened be- tween his jaws and he could neither get it up or down. 'J'he eggs are three or four in number; and sometimes, but rarely five. Last year [ noted a nest containing three young birds tind two Mddled eggs, this being the first nesl 1 have ever seen which held over four. The majority of nests last year held only three eggs. The eggs are bluish white in ground color, and are marked, chiefly around the larger end, with wavy lines of dark brown and black In comparing eggs in my collection with those of the Red- wing: the eggs of the Calif oi'nia Black- bird seem to have more and longer lines upon them. Fresh eggs can be taken as early as April 20th. and the nesting period extends through June. After the young have all hatched the birds con- gregate in large flocks and spend most of the lime in the pasture fields until they migrate in the fall. 500 Tricolored Blackbird. (Jge- laius tricolor: — This bird replaces the California Blackbird in the interior valleys of California. It has never been found nesting in this part of the Santa Clara Co. although it has been 76 THE OOLOGIST. recorded as nesting in the marshes near Gilroy and Sargents, about thirty-five miles south of Santa Clara, in the ex- treme southern part of the county. The nesting and other habits and eggs of this bird are identical with those of the California Blackbird. What has been written of the California Black- bird will applj' to this bird also. 510 Brewers Blackbird. [Scole- cophagus cyanocephalus: — This beauti- ful Grackle, usually known as the Tree Blackbird is an abundant resident of this county at all times. He can al- ways be found in the pastures among the sheep and cattle, where he sits contentedly upon the backs of one of these animals, occasionaly pecking a grub or flying to the ground to pick up some worm or other tempting morsel of food.'iln the winter a flock of these birds will follow a plow and catch the earth worms as fast as they are turned up and they also delight to follow a sower in the grain fields and eat the grain. They arc always a sociable bird, several pairs always selecting the same tree for a nesting site. They like to build in the neighbor- hood of a house or barn, although I did find several nests in a large weep- ing willow tree in a grain field about one mile from a house. Nest building begins about the 1st. of April, the nest being composed of an outer layer of twigs, straw and rootlets, cemented with mud or manure and almost invar- iably lined with a thick layer of horse- hair. It is usually placed at the top of a large weeping willow tree in a fork about twenty feet above the ground, or in twigs at the end of a drooping limb, although I have found them in evergreens and flowering shrubs in a garden, not higher than five feet. The earliest date at which I have taken eggs is April, 32nd and from this time until well along in June, eggs may be taken. The eggs range from four to six in number, usually four, and in color are among the most beautiful of our western birds' eggs, especially for a series, the markings being remark- ably variable. A typical set has a ground color of greenish white, with numerous markings and blotches of brown and black, but I always find a few sets every year which are so heavi- ly marked with dark brown blotches as to give the eggs the appearance of being a solid brown color. Of course there are a great many sets to be found the eggs of which vary between these two extremes, and some of these are very odd and beautiful. Although Brewer.-! Blackbird is not a songster in any sense of the word, and sometimes eats the graiu and fruit, 1 think he mure than repay.s us for the damage he does by his sociable habits. He is also an independent and some- times a pugnacious fellow. I have often seen one of these birds chase a Western Redtail or Turkey Vulture and peck at them until they vvere glad to take refuge in flight. Wm. L. Atkinson, Santa Clara, Cal. An Albino Marsh Hawk. On the 18th day. of April, 1900, while traveling the public highway one and one-halt miles north of Albion, a bird flew toward me close to the ground that I at once called a hawk but different from anything I had ever seen. Fortu- nately the bird crossed the road very close and I was able to identify it. It was within 100 feet of me and every feather uhowed plainly Its general build, the low flight, and pure white patch at base of tail, left no doubt as to its identity, but the head and neck,all of the back and the wing coverts were of a uniform creamy white instead of the usual brown and rufus pattern. Of course I had no gun, so the old bird is probabJy on earth to puzzle some one else. On the 4th, of March last, I secured a fine male Greater Redpoll which so far as I know, has not prev- iously been recorded in Western New York. Its larger size, short, thick beak and wider tail feathers, all serve to dis- tinguish it from the common species. Ernest H. Short, Albion, N. T. THE OOLOGIST. 77 MONTROSE BIGYGLEHniFREE on approval to your address WITHOUT A CENT IN ADVANCE. SEND us TOUR OlJOfI?, state whether you wish ladv's or man's wheel; give color, height of frame and gear wanted and WE WILL SHIP THE WHEEL C. O. D. on approval, allowing you to uncrate and ex- amine it fully before you accept It. If it is not all and more than we claim for it, and a better wheel than you can get for any where near the price from any one else, refuse it and we will pay all express charges ourselves. The "MONTROSE" Bicycle d;i ^ en at our Special Aleut's sample price of **» | ^J'^'^ is the greatest bargain in a bicycle ever offered. We guarantee it equal to any $40 wheel on the market, and you need not accept it nor pay a cent if yciu do not find it as we represent. We are EXCLCSIVE BIC YCIiE MAKI'FACTITRERS and take this method of quickly introducing out- 1900 MODELS. This offer of a sample wheel at this low price is made to secure a RIDER A GENT in each town to represent us and take orders. Our agents make money fast. CDEPICIf^ATIONC Frame, 22, 24 or 26 inch ; ladies, 23 inch. Best wr bWiriwM I IWIlOi Shelby seamless tubing with forged connec- tions, flush joints, improved expander device to fasten seat post and handle bar; Royal Arch crown; the celebrated Mavis hubs and hanger— the easiest running known; Record "A" tires, the best and one of the most expensive tires on the market. The genuine $4 Mesinger Hyicienic saddle; pedals, tools and accessories the best obtainable. Enameled in black, maroon or coach green, highly finished and ornamented; special finished nickeling on all bright parts. We thoroughly test every piece of material that goes into this machine. Our binding year's guar- antee bond with each bicycle. C«Ct to any one sending the $16.50 cash in full with order we will riltC send free a genuine Burdick 10,000 mile barrel pattern cyclo- meter; or a high grade floor pump. Your money all back if you are not perleotly satisfied. niJFAn UfUCCIC ^e do not manufacture the cheap depart- UnCHr IviIbkLwi ment store kind of wheels, such as many new concerns and big supjily houses advertise and sell as high grade. We can furnish them, however, at $5 to $7 strijiped; or 959.75 to $12..'J0 complete. We do not guarantee nor recom- mend tliem. BEFOlfE ORDERING a bicycle of any one else, no matter who or how cheap, write us and let us tell you how much we can save you on the same machine. If you IIIIADI C (a RilV awheel we can assist you to EARN A BICYCLE bytiis- are UHflDLC lU DU 1 tributing catalogues for us a few days. We need one person In each town for this purpose. We have several hundred SECOND HAND WHEELS taken in trade which we will close out at $S to $10 each; also some shopworn samples and '99 models very cheap. Send for Bargain List. OUR RELIABILITY is unquestioned. We refer to any bank or business house in Chicago, or any express or railroad comjiany. We will send you letters of reference direct from the largest banks in Chicago if you wish it. QCUn VftllD rtOnCD t"^"y' Thislowprlceandthesespeeial terms of shipment without deposit will OCnil lUUll U n II Cri be withdrawn very soon. Jt^'Give name of this paper. •/. L. MEAD CYCLE COMPANY, Chicago, m. THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Has published tbree-f ourths of the ' most inter- esting descriptions of the nests and eggs or rare species of the West, which have been printed durlnji the past six years, including the Hermit Warbler, "VVfRtern Evening Gros- beak. White throated Swift, California, Vulture, etc., etc. It is now publishing "THE CONDOR" Formerly the BULLETIN of the COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. A cri.'sp and breezy 16 to 24 Dage bi-monthly bird .journal, illustrated as reciuired. The arti- cles are all from field workers and have a ring Which enthuses the live ornithologist. The only Bird Magazine devoted solely to the Or- nithology of the Great West. Al>vays out on time! You want it! Subscription II a year. Sample copy, 20c. For sample, address C. BARLOW, Editor-in- chief. Santa Clara. Cal. Subscriptions to DON- ALD A. COHEN, Business Manager, Alameda, Cal. Subscription may commence with No. 1 (Jan- uary, 1899.). "You might as well be out of the Bird "World al- together as go without THE OSPREY." "THE. OSPRRY, An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Popular Ornithology. Edited by Theodore Gill, In Co-op- eration with Robert Ridgway, L. Stejneger, C- W- Richmono and uther Eminent Ornithologists. The Ospkey does not kei^p a poet, but it has an office cat who can catch more birds ihau all the poets put to- fr<'thpr If yon don't believe this, read The Ospkey. If you want to imy sell or fxctvinjre speoimers, advertise in The Osprey. If you want to keep in with other Bird iVlen, subscribe for The Ospkey. Jf vou want to write about Birds, you can do it in The Ospkey. provided you know how to "^rite. If you like a beHUtifully printed ard pro- fusely illustrated magazine, all about Birds you must have The Osprey. Terms— One Dollar a Year. Published by THE OSmEY COM[rAI»JY, S21-323 414 St., Washington, D. C. 78 THE OOLOGIST. BIRD-L.ORE For February, the first number of Volume II, contains a full-page portrait of the late Elliott Coues, a list of over 50 prominent ornithogists, residing throughout the United States and Canada who have consented to aid bird students by responding to their re- quests for information and advice, and, among others, the following articles: "Con- cerning Birds' Tongues," (12 illustrations) by F. A. Lucas; "The Economic Value of Gulls," (illustrated) by Frank M. Chapman; "Bird Study at Oberlin College." by Lynds Jones; "Every-day Study of Birds for Busy People, including a method of Recording Notes," by W. H. C. Pynchon;" "The Season's Flight of Crossbills," (illustiated) from notes by William Brewster, J. N. Clark, and others; "The Blue- winged Warbler in Southern New York in January," by Elizabeth G Britton;" "Where the Grebes' Breasts Come from," by Vernon Bailey. 20 cents a copy. One Dollar a year. The Macmillan Co.,Englewood, N.J., or 66 5th Ave., NewYorkCity. The Young Naturalist's Marvelous Collection. A truly "Marvelous" collection and moBt ap- propriately named for the class for whom it's Intended. The collection contains the follow- ing specimens, which retail at from 1 to 10c each: Card of Marine AlgEea. 1.5 Foreign Stamps, Sand Dollar, Chinese Coin, Tusk Shell, "Wam- pum " Organpipe Coral, Red, Yellow and Brown-banded Sea Beans, Branch Coral, E. I., Spearhead or Arrowhead, Money Cowry, Pink Coral, Alligator Tooth, Worm Shell, Sand Shark or Skate Egg, Limpet, Bloody-tooth Shell, Inflated Olive Shell, Egg Capsules of Periwinkle. Piece of Tapa Cloth, Chinese Horn Nut, Yellow Coral, Campaign Badge, Satin Spar, Peanut or Rope Shell. Gum Pine, Dove Shell, Leaf from Japanese Book, Thorny-nosed Murex, Scaphifes nodosus. Precious Coral, 3 Cassia Beans, Fiddler Crab, Egg of Red-winged Blackbird, Beetle, Lynx Cowry. Japanese Eburna, Pelican's Foot Shell, Liver Bean. Piece of Mexican Pottery, Copper-stained spec, of Calcite Stalactite, Valve of Radiated Scallop Shell, Branch Coral, W. I., Sertularia, Piece of Sea Fern. Price $1.00. If sent prepaid 15 cents must be sent to pay for same otherwise it goes by express at pur- chasers expense. Special:— Until June 1st I will send one of the above collections prepaid for only 40 cts. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. The Student's Shell Collection. This Collection contains Forty Small Shells collected from all quarters of the Globe, all of which are numbered to correspond with a cat- alogue, which gives their proper, common and scientific names, with the locality where found. These shells when purchased individually and properly labelled would cost from 2 to 25 cents each. The following are the specimens found in this collection: Scorched Murex, Thorny-nosed Murex, Fish Basket, Gem Shell, Inflated Olive, Lettered Olive, Rice, Dove, Thunder Storm, Pelican's Foot, Ringed Cowry, Snake-head Cowry, Money Cowry, Rye. Porcelain Rump, Boat," Worm, Brown Snail, Yellow Pea. Beaded Tower, Tow- er, Bloody Tooth. White Tooth, Zebra, Wheel. Venetian Snail, Key-hole Limpet, Many-lined Bulimulus, Hunch backed Partula, Black- mouthed Tree Snail. Banded Tree Snail, Little Agate, Silk Worm, Pea Nut, Banded Melam- pus, Indian Wampum. Angel Wing. Sun, Scal- lop and Jingle- Price $1.00. If sent prepaid 6 cents must be added to pay postage on same— otherwise it will go by ex- press at purchaser's expenses. Special:— Until June 1st will send one of the above collections prepaid for only 31 cts. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. W!i!!iiiiii!ii!MMi!!f!im!Miiiiiii!M!iiini!ii!in!nin!ii?iiiiinfiifniiinifiiini!iiniiff!irffmmniiii!iMnf!nm!i!!miiii?niininra [The Lamp of Steady Habitsj The lamp that doesn't flare up or smoke, or cause you to use bad language ; the lamp that looks good when you get it and stays good; the lamp that you never willingly part with, once you have it; that's #?!% Cbe Xm Rochester. Other lamps may be offered you as " just as good " — they may hQ, in some respects, but for all around goodness, there's only one. To make sure the lamp offered you is genuine, look for the name on it : every New ISochester lamp has it. We make oil stoves too, just as good as the lamps; in fact, anything in oil or gas fixtures. £ i«63/2E;-nH The Rochester Lamp Co,, i 38 Park Place and 33 Barclay St., New York. ailuuiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiuiiiiiiiuiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiimimiiiiuuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiauiiiiiiiiih THE OOLOGIST 79 BARG/MNS IN BOOKS FOR THE NATURALIST. I have them by the thousand and offer below many very rare and desirable titles at prices way below actual value. Of most I have only single sets or copies. All are new or good as new unless otherwise stated. Prices are by mail, express or freight at purchaser's expense —will ship cheapest way. Money returned at my expense if books wanted are sold. Prices good un- til June I, 1900 only. After that date, write first Special discounts on large orders. Remit in most convenient way Address plainly and in full FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, ORLEANS CO., N. Y. Allen, A Monograph of the Bats of North America, 19«p, 38pl % 1 40 Bendire. Life Histories of North Ameri- can Birds. Rare and almost unobtain- able. Only a few vols, on the market at any price. Vol. I, $9; vol. II, 7 50, or both vols 16 00 Brown, Atlas of Fossil Conchology with descriptions and illustrations. 98 full page tinted steel plates containing 3500 figures. Royal 4to. London,:""" ($20.00) new Chapman, Frank M., A Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North America Cope. The Batrachla of North America, 520p, 86pl. 119fig ^ Cope, Vertebrata of Tertiary Formations, 4to, 1043p, 134pl - Cones, Field and General Ornithology— A Manual of ih^ Structure and Classifi- cation of Birds with Instructions for Collecting and Preserving Specimens, 344p, l]2fig Dana, Manual of Geology, 1st ed., 800p; over lOOOfigs ($5), 1.45: 2d ed., Davie, Methods in the Art of Taxidermy, (*10), now out of print and publishers supply exhausted, will soon be very rare Donaldson, The GeorgeCatlin Indian Gal- lery with Memoir and Statistics, 940p, 144pl and maps (3.50) Goss, Col. N. S.. History of the Birds of Kansas (7.50), new and lasted Headley, Structure and Life of Birds, 412p, 78fig, 1895 IngersoU, E., Birds' Nesting (1.25) jARDiNE's (Sir William) Naturalists Library. Post 8vo. Each volume con- tains 200 to 350p and about 30 plates engraved on steel and colored from nature, also many wood cuts, original set cost $50. Have .just received a broken set In poor condition, loose in covers &c. Text and plates, however, in clean and fair conditioa. Edin- burgh , 1 835- 1 840. I b a ve : Ichthyology (Fish), 4 vols., lot only The Hummingbirds, 2 vols., lot Jones, Cassell's Book of Birds, four vols., 1250p, 400 large ills., 40 col. pi., 89 col. 8 00 2 35 2 35 3 20 2 25 1 90 4 25 1 10 4 25 1 70 80 Jordan and Gilbert, .synopsis of the Fishes of North America, 1018p Kingsley,Popular Natural History, A Des- cription of Animal Life from theLow est Forms Up to Man, 2 vols, 728p, 507 ills., many pi , Boston '90 1 80 1 90 7 20 3 30 7 25 2 10 4 75 3 90 1 40 5 20 2 90 Lesquereaux. Cretaceous and Tertiiary Floras, 4to, 295pp. 60pl _ Maynard. The Butterflies of New Eng- land, 4 to,76p, 10 hand col. pi. showing 250 life size specimens, rare, valuable, out of print _ Morris, Nest and Eggs of British Birds, 2 vol., 154 colored plates, 1859 Mcllwrath, Thomas, Birds of Ontario ($2) Nature, Vol. XXXI to XXXIV, unbound, cost $12 _ Ornithological and Natural History Pub- cations, can furnish back No's of al- most anything published in America during the past 25 years. Write wants Pennsylvania State 2d Geological Sur- vey, 38 vols, cloth, many plates, maps, figs., &c., thousands of nages, $35 Ridgway. Ornithology of Illinois, vol. I, 520p, 33pl.. 1889 Scudder, Nomenclator Zoologicus (An Alphabetical list of all Generic names employed by Naturalists for Recent and Fossil Animals from earliest times to 1880), 716p Scudder, Tertiary Insects of North Amer ica, 4to, 734p, 28pl - Shufeldt, M. D., R. W., Scientific Taxid- ermy for Museums, 71 full page plates 67 pages, text - Smithsonian Reports, 43 vols, from 1853 to 1895, inclusive Stegneger, Poisonous Snakes of North America, 144p, 19pl, 70fig _ Studer's Birds of North America. 300p, 119 col. pi., imp. 4to; full Morrocco, ($45) - Vennor, Our Birds of Prey, or the Eagles, Hawks and Owls of Canada, 30 large photograph plates, ($12.00) Whitlock, The Migration of Birds, 140p '97 Wilson, Study of Prehistoric Anthropol- ogy. Hand Book for Beginners, 76p, 20pl. 287fig Wilson. Prehistoric Art. valuable to stud- ents, 340p, 74pl., 325flg 1 40 Wood. Animate Creation. Revised and adopted to American Zoology by Hold- er, 60 parts, complete, 30 page ole- ographs, 60 plates and profusely illus- trated, ($15) 6 00 Ridgway. Hummingbirds, 132p, 46pl, 47flg 1 90 FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. 2 10 1 90 1 35 20 00 1 35 13 80 90 95 Lattin's Standard Catalogne ol North American Birds Eggs. Enlarged (contains 72 pages) revised, coi-rected and brought up to date of going to press- March, 1898. Giving all of the new A. O. U. changes and additions. Also divided and subdivided into orders, sub orders, families and sub-families. Single copy 10 cents; 3 for 25 cents. 80 THE OOLOGIST Special Bargains in Shells and Fossils. MITRID^E. Twpnty-two(22) species, 44 specimens. List value $4 55. My price prepnid only $1.70. VOLUTA. Twenty (20) species, 25 specimons, containing virelens. harpa, hor- nis, cumminggii and 16 others. List value $28.20. My price only $8. 40 prepaid. OLlVIDiE. Forty-nine (49) specie.«, 94 specimens, comprising manra, porphy- ria, duclosiana, rnusleUina, bulhifortnis and 45 others. Regular price $11 60. My price $3.40, prepaid. CONID.E. Fifty-six (56) species, 70 specimens. Imperialis, betulinus. figrd- inus, cardinalis nanus and 51 others are in this collection. Regular price $20.45. My price only $7.40, prepaid. CYPRiEID^E. ThirJy-two (32) species, 40 specimens. Specimens of note are Mappa, spadicea, stercoraria, ventriculus and 28 others. Regular price $9.05. My price only $3.35, prepaid. UNIUNID-^.— One hundred and thirty-four (134) species (American) 450 speci- mens. All fresh live specimens Worth at regular prices fully $100. Will send the entire collection prepaid for only $28. 40. RARE OLD SILVER COINS of Great Britain.— A collection of 50 pieces from the reign of Henry II (1154) to that of Victoria. The collection contains coins minted during the reigns of twenty two (22) ot Great Britain's monarchs. The collection lists about $55 00, will sell as a whole for $22.50 prepaid. FOSSIL COLLECTION. A specially selected collection of Fossils for school used to I sell at $100 One hundred (100) species and about 500 specimens ranging in value from 5c. to $1 00 each A very select and very valuable collection and is largelv composed of Fossil Corals, all carefully labeled and prepared, and well worth $100. My price $33.50 prepaid. I have another collection similar to above put up to sell at $50.00, 100 species and about 200 specimens which I will send prepaid for only $15.75. MOUND BUILDER'S RELICS. We have hundreds of ordinary arrow and spear heads and a few of the more common pieces such as sinkers, drills, scrap- ers. &c, but have very few of the rare and desirable ones. The following we offer at about one-half regular prices: Pipe ftom Brant Co., Out., a very choice speci- men, $4.90y prepaid; another from same locality of a more common and unat- tractive form. $1-.60, prepaid; Slate Pendant from Waterloo Co., Ont . prepaid, 55cts; Hematite Celt from Van Buren Co., Ark., prepaid, only $1.20. Ordin- ary Stone Axe from Cumberland Co., N. J., prepaid, $1.30. I al.so have the contents of a cache from Rowan Co , N. C, consisting of about 400 unnotched arrow or spearheads of uniform size and form, about 2^ long, will sell as a whole very reasonable. NEPTUNE'S CUP or Vase Sponge, Paierion, from Tasmania. An odd and curious specimen worth from $15 to $20, and we have never offered this specimen for less than $10 prepaid. It measures 24 in. high and the vase portion is 12 in. in diam. It goes prepaid fur only ^7.60. SPANISH CROSS inlaid with straw from an ancient church in Jempz, New Mex. Curio dealers would ask $5.00 for it, but it's yours prepaid for $1.65. AN EGYPTIAN IDOL, carvpd from stone or lava 1000 or more years ago, rep- resents an elephant or some other animal, measures about 4x2* in. Secured by a missionary acquaintance from a mummy pit in Egypt and guaranteed genuine. Prepaid only §3,15. LARGE CORALS. 1 specimen of the Plate Brain Coral, Meandrina clivosa, from Bahamas measuring 22 in. in long diameter (16 in. short) worth $10; one of true Brain Coral, Meandrina cerebriformis, 11 in. diam. worth $5.00; one specimen of Pineapple Coral, Perites astrceoides, 10 in. diam. worth $3 00, will send the three specimens prepaid for onlv $8.60. Address FRANK H. LATTIN, Publisher, Albion, N. Y. The Oologist A MONTHLY PUBLICATION DEVOTED TO OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. VOL. XVII. NO. 6. ALBION, N. Y., JUNE, 1900. Whole No. 167 Wants, Exchanges, and For Sales. Brief special announcements, "Wants,' "Exchanges" "For Sales," Inserted In tMs department tor 25c per 25 words. Notices over 25 words, charged at the rate of one-half cent per each additional word. No notice Inserted for less than 25c. Terms, cash with order. Strictly First-class specimens will be accepted In payment at one-third list rates. What's Your Number? Examine the number following your name on the wi-apper of this month's Oologist. It denotes when your subscription expired or will expire. No. 167 your subscription expires with this issue 170 " " ■• " Sept. 1900 173 " " " " Dec. " 175 " " " " Feb., 1901 180 " " " " July, '• Intermediate numbers can easily be deter- mined. If we have you credited wrong we wish to rectify. EXCHANGE.— For eggs in sets or singles; new SYaxSVi Camera. Spectrascope ; Eggs in sets. ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. HAVE you got Nowell's Collector's Tool for this reason's work? If not, send 90 cents to J. R, NO WELL, Portman, S. C. and receive one by return mail WANTED.— Coues' -Key or Ridgeway's Man- ual, latest edition, good as new. State lowest cash price. A. E. PRICE, Grant Park, Ills. TO EXCHANGE for fine sets: One hundred species as 134a. 151. 187, 222, 277a, 288, 293, 325, 326, 337a, 342, 355. 362, 419, 487, etc. Send for complete list enclosing yours. J. M. & JAMES J. CARROLL, Waco, Texas. FOR SALE.— 2 Bear Cubs. Fine healthy little fellows, will be about two months old when this ad. appears. 1 Brown, 1 Cinamon. CURIS. P. FORGE, Carman, Man. FOR SALE:— Eggs with nests and without, also have sets ot cigarette buttons among wh ich are Flags of Nations, Seals, Noted Men and others. Send for lists. Address. GEO. W. THOMPSON, Jamaica Plain, Mass. AFTER September 10th I shall be able to offer skins of birds from this locality for the commoner eastern species. J. O SNYDER, Stanford University, California. FOR EXCHANGE.— The following well mounted birds, Nos. 1, 375, 581e, 567a, 534, 535, 515, 652, 417, 412, also Vol. Ill of Nidologist, stamp collection and climbers for mounted birds, golf clubs, or eggs in sets. WM. H. EASTMAN, 478 Lebanon St., Melrose, Mass. A FINE Cream Colored variety of the Mar- bled Gcdwit. Well mounted skins of Manito- bia birds and bird's eggs. CHRIS. P. FORGE, Carman, Man. WANTED.— Nos. 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, Vol. I of Nidologist ; Nos. 2-4, Vol I of Osjirey. Liberal price paid. GUY O. RICH, M. D.. Toy Build- ing, Sioux City, Iowa. BARGAINS.— Snapping Turtle 1-17 2-28 1-29 1-41, Red-leg Turtle 1-5 3-6 2-7 S-8 8-9. Price 3 cents per egg, prepaid. All first class, data. JAS. O, JOHNSON, Southington, Conn. WANTED.— One skin each of Snowy Heron, L ouisiana Heron and Reddish Egret of this season's collecting. F. M. RICHARDS, Farm- ington, Maine. FIELD or MARINE GLASS:— New, worth $10, extension hood, case and shoulder strap, "Jumelle" make. WWl send. prejMig for only $5.90. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. FOR SALE.— Red-shouldered Hawk 1-3, 50c; American Crow 3-6, 24c; Blue Jay 2-6, 24c; Com- mon Tern 1-3, 14c: Song Sparrow 1-4, 8c; Flick- er 1-5, ISc; Sunas Hummingbird n-2, 75c; Black- chinned Hummingbird u-2, 7.5c; Wood Thrush 4-4, 10c; Spotted Sandpiper 2-4, 24c; Green Her- on 1-4 S4c, 1-5 30c: Bronzed Crackle 1-4, 16c. The above prices are per set. Prepaid at price. JAS. O. JOHNSON, Southington, Conn. WANTED :— Skeletons and Skulls, all kinds, in rough and mounted, Bird and Mammal Skins, Reptiles and Batrachians in alcohol or formalin. Desire correspondents in all parts of United States, Mexico .and Canada. Back numbers of papers on N atural History and sci- entific books wanted. Offer in exchange fifty species finely prepared Invertebrates in forma- lin, eastern bird skins, etc. Correspondence solicited. F. P. DROWNE, 20 Benefit St„ Providence, R. I. HEAR YE! Hear Ye : Hear Ye : This is to certify that my advertisements in the Oolo- gist have paid me better than have the com- bined ads. in most of the amateur and natural science papers. Ads. in the Oologist always bring returns, and it is safe to say that there is no paper having three times the circulation of this widespread periodical which can give equal satisfaction. MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. ,S-vfl 83 THE OOLOGIST. WANTED:— Eggs in sets with nests of all Warblers, Waders, Vireos and Thrushes. Send list of what you have and cash or ex- change price. Send 10c for large Illustrated catalog. CHAS.K.REED, 75 Thomas St., Wor- cester, Mass. TAXIDERMIST'S OUTFIT:— Contains one heavy Cartilage Knife; 1 nickeled and engrav- ed Scalpel with tip shaped for detaching skin, muscles, &c ; 1 pair Scissors; 1 pair Forceps: 1 Dissecting Hook; 1 Brain Spoon; 1 pocket Wire Cutter. Instruments best, all packed in polished Hard- wood Case. A better outfit than the one always sold at 13. I have only four outfits and will close them out at only $8.30 prepaid. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. TAXIDERMIST'S COLLECTING GUN. Made to order. Cost me $12..50 and expressage as a dealer. Can be readily taken apart in center and carried "out of sight." Takes reg- ulation 45-70 shell. Gun with complete outfit (.50 brass shells, 250 primers, 1000 wads, de and re-capper.) AW prepaid only ^iQf^. FRANK, H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. PLATE HOLDER-Double, 54x5>^, Blair Camera Co., ($1.00), prepaid 44c. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion N. Y. C. B. VANDERCOOK. Odin. lis. pays 50c per hundred cash for Star, Horse Shoe, Cross Bow, Good Luck, Drummond's Natural Leaf J. T. tobacco tags. Those painted on under side. Offer expires November 1st. 167 GLASS EYES.~Lot No. 1 contains one pair each Nos. 8 and 15 yellow, No. 9 hazel, No. 18 brown (worth 44c), all prf^aifi! 24c. Lot No. 2 contains one pair each No. 19 brown style two (veined) for Bear and Nos. 23 and 21 style four (veined, long pupil and cornered) for Deer (lot worth $1.21). All prepaid, only 76cts. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. "SNAPS" for TAXIDERMISTS ET. AL:— Chain and Hooks (25c), 16c: 7in Stufters, spring handle (1.S5), 80c; Scissor-handle Stuffers, i2in. ($1.75), $1.05; Scissor-handle Stuffer, 15in, ($2.50) $1.60; Bone Cutters, extra fine and heavy.($2.50) $1.60; 38 cal. Wad Cutter, (40c) 22c: Pinning Forceps for Insects ($1.25) 78c: Botanical Col- lecting Can with shoulder strap, size 12x71^x3^ in. ($1-50) $1.10; Tenaculum or Dissecting Hook, folding in handle ($1) 28c. All prepaid at prices quoted, regular prices in ( ). FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. WANTED.— Will trade books of all kinds for good matched pairs of ivory Elks teeth or sin- gle teeth; also collections of U. S. stamps bought for cash. Address, HALL N. JACK- SON, 36 W. 6th St., Cincinnati, O. 170 YOUR ATTENTION is called to the great sacrifice sale of the collection of W. A. OLD- FIELD of Deckerville, Mich., formerly of Port Sanilac. This is a great chance to secure some good and rare specimens at low price. See ad. in this issue. U. S. WAR CENTS and REBELLION TOK- ENS, issued 1861-65, same size as U. S. cent now in use, bearing peculiar designs, "Union For- ever," "Not One Cent for Tribute," etc., etc. Some with merchant's names. Becoming rare. Will make neat pocket pieces. Boys, you can dispose of these old and curious war cents to your friends at a good profit. Supply limited. While they last will send one by mail postpaid for only 10c ; 3 (each one different) for 25 cts. Stamps taken. O. J. SWANDER, Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio. 171 FOR SALE;— Clutches of European species. White Gryfalcon, Gryfalcon, Merlin, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Golden Eagle, Gray Sea Eagle, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, Honey Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon. Hobby Egyptian Vulture. Apply. GORTON, 2 Upper Glouces- ter St., Pendleton, England. 171 CODDINGTON MAGNIFIERfMiners' glass), diameter Jain, cost $1.. 50, prepaid 95cts; also a 3 lens pocket magnifier in rubber case, only 60c, prepaid. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. INSECT PINS:— 1.50 best assorted and 3 sheets 3x4x1-16 inch cork. All prepaid, only 20c. FRANK H. LATTIN. Albion, N. Y. PALMETTO work: Beautiful, durable. Finished with any color satin ribbon. Fans, 40cts, three for $1.00; napkin rings. 20ct3, six for $1.00, postpaid. Miss V. V. OHLINGER, Winter Haven, Florida. WHAT can you offer in bird skins for fresh skin of young male Great Horned Owl in down? TROY W. EARHART, Elkhart, Ind. WANTED:— Voi 2 of "Birds," unbound. Offer in exchange set of 4 Marsh Hawk's eggs. Address, THEODORE B PARKER, 36 Beau- mont Ave., Newtonville, Mass SKATE EGG, 3c; fossil tooth large, 10c; 15 choice curiosities, 12c; 100 sea shells, 12c; horse- shoe crab, 10c ; shark egg, 5c ; periwinkle egg case 5c; 5 relics, 15c. Price list, 1 reiic, 25 sea shells and a Big Red claw, all for 10c. W. P. ARNOLD, Peacedale, R. I. COLLECTION of Eggs for Exchange;— Sets of 16, 127, 194. 360a, 376, 381, 429, 430, 431, 460. 462, 466, 471, 482, 487, 486, 487, .505a, 620, 633a, 707a, 708. 710,721a. LEE CHAMBERS, Santa Monica, CoL ~TO EXCHANGE:— 2 Black Walnut, glass top egg cases, 34x26 and 18x23 inches re.spec- tively, made especially for eggs. For eggs in sets or old varieties of U. S. stamps. No pos- tal cards answered. J. NEWTON, Unionville. Conn, EXCHANGERS;— You are hereby Invited to send in your list of duplicate singles and sets, on receipt of same, I will mail you my list of singles and sets from which you may select, and you will be astonished at the prices I will give in exchange. Assist me by sending me your list and I will do the rest. ED KASCH, Lockhart, Texas WANTED;— Good second-hand Ridgway's Manual or Coues' Key, also collecting gun for lowest terms in cash. Address, M. M.MYERS, Box 345, Cripple Creek, Colo. EXCHANGE:— Bird skins, all in good con- dition, collected last year, including Great Horned, Pigmy and Short-eared Owls, Western Red-tail Hawk, Whistling Swan. etc. Lists . AUSTIN COOPER, Nicomin, B. C. Canada. WANTED:— Circulars and samples of mail o'-der goods retailing from 5cts to 25cts. Mean business. O. J. SWANDER, Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio. 50 different sets, all complete, full data ; also a few Indian arrow Points. Will exchange for Al bicycle or sell cheap. J. D. PARKER, Dan- ville. Knox Co., Ohio. TEN Different first class Tennessee eggs, two nests and a complete set of 3-5 eggs in a third nest for fifty cents. IVAN STEPHENS, Winchester, Tenn. \jf THE OOLOGIST 83 TO EXCHANGE or SELL:— A limited num- ber of nice skins of Columba squamosa, Geo- trygon montana. Columbigalina passernia, Falco dominicensis, Melanerpes Porto Rlcen- sis, Tyranus dominicensis. Pitangus taylori, Myiarchus antillarum, Lampornio dominicen- sis, Quiscolis brachypterus, Icterus Porto Ricensis, Crotophaga ani, Loxigilla Porto Rlcensis, Euthia bicolor, Euthia bryanti,Coer- ba Porto ricensis, Beudroicaffi ruficapilla, Vir- eo calidrio, Mimocichla ardosiacea and others. Nests and sets of Euthia bicolor and Coerba Porto Ricensis or choice sets with nest. B. S. BOW DISH, San Juan, Peurto Rico. FOR SALE:— No exchange. The following duplicate sets; prices per set: Am. Eared Grebe 1-3, 12c: Swalnson's Hawk 2-3, 30c; Am. Long-eared Owl 1-4, 30c: Desert Sparrow Hawk 1-3, 30c; Spotted Sandpiper 2-4, 15c; Bendire's Thrasher 1-3, .50c; Starling 1-5, 25; Lapwing 1-4, 25c: Blue winged Warbler 14, $1.65; Pinon Jay 1-4, 1.70; Large-billed Puffin 1-1, 20c; Lesser Scaup Duck 1-12, $2.00; Baldpate Duck 1-11, $2.00: Red-tailed Hawk 1-3, 45c. Will sell the lot for $8.00. A. M. MACALISl'ER, Care Mer- cury office, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Have you tried my process of Rapid Taxidermy? If not you will be gratified by a big surprise. There is money to be made by the preservation of specimens for the market or the school, par- lor, office and den. Any boy, girl or sportsman may learn this method at the first attempt.and decorate the trophies and birds of the neigh- borhood. The cost is next to nothing, and when several go in and work together, there is no cost. You may make money in any town or the coimtry. On receipt of $i.oo cash or stamps I will send the complete printed instructions to mount Birds, Mammals, Heads, etc., and one pound of the Preservative, ready prepared for the work ; together with complete directions for dressing skins with the hair on, for rugs, robes and hangings, and in addition I will make the extra inducement of offering the for- mula for making the Preservative Compound, with the privilege of selling the same. The process will be exchanged for $3.00 worth of stamps, or for other exchange. What have you to offer? Address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. What Did I Do? I sent H. W. KERR, Publisher of the NATURALIST, (Farm) and FANCIERS REVIEW $1.00 for FIVE YEARS sub- scription and FIVE 25 word Exchange Notices and I recommend it to YOU. Its Natural History Department edited by Isador S. Trostler of Omaha, Neb. is in need of your Attention, not to say but what the the Belgian Hare, Poultry, Pigeon and Pet Stock Departments are all leaders. July 1st this offer expires and subscription advanced to 50c per year. Sample copy free. Ad. Rates based on actual issue. Address, H. W. KERR, Pubr., Blencoe, Iowa. BOOKS I have thousands of volumes relating to Natural History. In case I've offered anything during the past year which you can use please, favor me with list of wants and allow me to quote 'SPEC- IAL" prices. All must be sold. Your attention is particularly called to my Book Lists in the June-July and October (pages 142 143) 1899 Oologists. If I've anythintr If ft which you want or can use I would be pleased to be in- formed of the fact ann will endeavor to see that the matter of ^'price" will not be a barrier in making a transfer. Frank H. Lattin» Publisher of OoLOGiST, Albion, N. Y. Have you seen THE BIXXERN? The June number contains an illustrated article by P. B. Peabody; also an article by Morris Gibbs. Better send a stamp to GI^EPH 91. HATHORK, i6oo E. Avenue, Cedar Rapids, lo-wa, for a sample copy. Yon will never regret It. THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Has published three-fourths of the most inter- esting descriptions of the nests and eggs or rare species of the West, which have been printed during the past six years, including the Hei-mit Warbler, Western Evening Gros- beak, White throated Swift.California Vulture, etc., etc. It is now publishing "THE CONDOR" Formerly the BULLETIN of the COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. A crisp and breezy 16 to 24 page bi-monthly bird journal, illustrated as required. The arti- cles are all from field workers and have a ring which enthuses the live ornithologist. The only Bird Magazine devoted solely to the Or- nithology of the Great West. Always out on time! You want it! Subscription $1 a year. Sample copy, 20c. For sample, address C. BARLOW, Editor-in- chief. Santa Clara, Cal. Subscriptions to DON- ALD A. COHEN, Business Manager, Alameda, Cal. Subscription may commence with No. 1 (Jan- uary, 1899.). 84 THE OOL06IST. BARG/MNS IN BOOKS FOR THE NATURALIST. I have them by the thout-and and offer below many very rare and desirable titles at prices way below actual value. Of most I have only single sets or copies. All are new or good as new unless otherwise stated. Prices are by mall, express or freight at ptirchaser's expen.se— will ship cheapest way. Money returned at my expense if books wanted are sold. Prices good un- til June It 1900 only. After that date, write first. Special (linrounfs on large orders. Remit in most convenient way. Address plainly and in full FRANK H. LATtiN, ALBION, ORLEANSCO.,N.Y. Allen, A Monograph of the Bats of North America, I98p, 38pl $1 40 Bendire, Life Histories of North Ameri- can Birds. Rare and almost unobtain- able. Only a few vols, on the market at any price. Vol. I, $9; vol. II, t7 50, or both vols 16 00 Brown, Atlas of Fossil Conchology with descriptions and illustrations. 98 full page tinted steel plates containing 3500 figures. Royal 4to. London, 1889. ($20.00) new _ Chapman, Frank M., A Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North America Cope, The Batrachla of North America, 520p, 86pl, 119flg Cope, Vertebrata of Tertiary Formations, 4to, 1043p, 134pl _ Coues, Field and General Ornithology — A Manual of the Structure and Classifi- cation of Birds with Instructions for Collecting and Preserving Specimens, 344p, nSflg Dana, Manual of Geology, 1st ed., 800p; over lOOOfigs ($5), 1.45; 2d ed., Davie. Methods in the Art of Taxidermy, (SIO), now out of print and publishers supply exhausted, will soon be very rare Donaldson, The George Catlin Indian Gal- lery with Memoir and Statistics, 940p, 144pl and maps (3.50) _ Goss, Col. N. S.. History of the Birds of Kansas (7.50), new and lasted _ Headley, Structure and Life of Birds, 412p, 78fig, 1895 IngersoU, E., Birds' Nesting (1.25) Jardine's (Sir William) Naturalists Library. Post 8vo. Each volume con- tains 260 to 350p and about 30 plates engraved on steel and colored from nature, also many wood cuts, original set cost $50. Have just received a broken set in poor condition, loose in covers &c. Text and plates, however, in clean and fair condition. Edin- burgh, 183.5-1840. I have: Ichthyology (Fish), 4 vols., lot only The Hummingbirds, 2 vols., lot _ Jones, Casseirs Book of Birds, four vols., lS.50p, 400 large ills., 40 col. pi., 89 col. 8 00 2 35 2 35 3 20 2 25 t 90 4 25 1 10 4 25 1 70 Jordan and Gilbert, synopsisoftheFish.es of North America, 1018p _ Kingsley, Popular Natural History, A Des- cription of Animal Life from theLow est Forms Up to Man, 2 vols, 728p, 507 ills,, many pi., Boston '90 1 20 1 90 7 20 3 30 7 25 Lesquereaux, Cretaceous and Tertiiary Floras, 4to, 29.5pp, 60pl 2 10 Maynard, The Butterflies of New Eng- land, 4 to,76p, 10 hand col. pi. showing 2,50 life size specimens, rare, valuable, out of print 4 75 Morris, Nest and Eggs of British Birds, 2 vol., 1.54 colored plates, 1859 3 90 Mcllwrath, Thomas. Birds of Ontario ($2) 1 40 Nature, Vol. XXXI to XXXIV, unbound, cost $12 3 20 Ornithological and Natural History Pub- cations, can furnish back No's of al- most anything published in America during the past 25 years. Write wants Pennsylvania State 8d Geological Sur- vey, 38 vols, cloth, many plates, maps, figs., &c., thousands of nages, S35_ 5 20 Ridgway. Ornithology of Illinois, vol. I, 520p, 33pl., 1889 2 90 Scudder, Nomenclator Zoologicus (An Alphabetical list of all Generic names employed by Naturalists for Recent and Fossil Animals from earliest times to 1880), 716p _ Scudder, Tertiary Insects of North Amer ica. 4tO, 734p, 28pl - Shufeldt, M. D., R. W., Scientific Taxid- ermy for Museums, 71 full page plates 67 pages, text - Smithsonian Reports, 43 vols, from 1853 to 1895, inclusive Stegneger, Poisonous Snakes of North America, 144p, 19pl, 70fig Studer's Birds of North America. 800p, 119col.pl., imp. 4to; full Morrocco, ($45) - Vennor, Our Birds of Prey, or the Eagles, Hawks and Owls of Canada, 30 large photograph plates, ($12.00) Whitlock, The Migration of Birds, 140p '97 90 Wilson, Study of Prehistoric Anthropol- ogy, Hand Book for Beginners, 76p, 20pl, 287fig 95 Wilson, Prehistoric Art. valuable to stud- ents, 340p, 74pl., 325flg 1 40 Wood, Animate Creation. Revised and adopted to American Zoology by Hold- er, 60 parts, complete, 30 page ole- ographs, 60 plates and profusely illus- trated, ($15) 6 00 Ridgway, Hummingbirds, 132p, 46pl, 47flg 1 90 FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. 2 10 1 90 1 35 20 00 1 36 13 80 4 40 Lattin's Standard Catalogue ol North American Birds Eggs, Enlarged (contains 72 pages) revised, corrected and brought up to date of going to press- March, 1S96. Gving all of the new A. O. IJ. changes and additions. Also divided and subdivided into orders sub ordrs, families and sub-families. Single copy 10 cents ; 3 for 25 cents. The Oologist. VOL. XVII. NO. 6. ALBION, N. Y., JUNE, 1900. Whole No. 167 The Oologist. A Monthly Publication Devoted to OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. FRANK H. LATTIN, Editor and Publisher, ALBION, N. Y. Correspondence and Items of Interest to the student of Birds, their Nests and Eggs, solicited Irom all. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: Single subscription 50c p6r annum Sample copies 5c each The above rates Include payment of postage. Each subscriber Is given a card good for a Want, Exchange or For Sale Notice. (This card Is redeemable at any time within one year from date thereon.) Subscriptions can begin with any number. Back numbers of the Oologist can be furnished at reasonable rates. Send stamp for descrip- tions and prices. ^?"Remember that the publisher must be notl fled by letter when a subscriber wishes his paper stopped, and all arrearages must be paid. ADVERTISING RATES : 6 cents per nonpareil line each Insertion. 12 lines In every inch. Seven Inches in a col- tunn, and two columns to the page. Nothing inserted for less than 25 cents. No "special rates," 5 cents per line is "net," "rock bottom," "inside," "spot cash" rate from which there is no deviation and no commission to agents. If you wish to use 5 lines or less space it will cost you 25 cents; 100 lines, $5.00; lOOO lines, $60.00. "Trade" (other than cash) advertise- ments wUl be accepted by special arrangement only and at rates from double to Ave times cash rates. Due Bills and Cards payable in advertis- ing win be honored only at regular rates in force at the date of issuance of said bill or card. Remittances should be made by Draft, Express or Postofflce Money Order, Registered Letter or Postal Note. Unused U. S . Postage Stamps of any denomination wUl be accepted for sums un- der one dallar. Make Money Orders and Drafts payable and address all subscriptions and com- munications to FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y. -^^ FtTfT Srr-Kt. »T MBTTsa, M efCO«0-<^JW;'t HATTTIl. Nesting- Materials. Continued from last month. The ProthonotaryWarbler is an excep- tion to the family by building in a cav- ity in a stump, and generally near or more often over the water. This is a strange exception, and a radical change from the Warbler ways, but we will find that there are many variations in habit in all the families of birds, and it may be added that these variations lend a charm to the study. There are no hum- drum features in the study of nature. There are constant features of change, and surprises await us constantly as we wander on in our researches. Most of the Warblers make their nests of tine materials, grass, rootlets, strippiogs from wood stalks and bark, and lining with soft cottony substances Some, as the Redstart and Blackburnan Warb- lers construct durable homes in the crotches of trees, the latter sometimes placing its nest as much as fifty feet from the ground. Others, as the Gold- en-wing Warbler.construct loosely built nests and on or near the ground in shoots or grass. It is almost a rule that these nests which are placed on the ground are poor in comparison with those which are situated in the branches. This is simply a matter of requirement. Many of the Sparrows employ grass in the construction of their nests and I know several that rarely use anything else. Others, and more particularly the larger ones, use twigs, roots and other materials in combination, as I have found the nest of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, though this species frequent- ly constructs such a thin affair that the eggs may be seen and counted through the bottom of the nest. The Chipping Sparrow is a well known specialist in its use of the long hair from horse tails, and so well known in this habit that the little bird is called the Hair bird. This Sparrow makes its home near to the abode of man, and thus has the power to gratify its penchant for horse hair, and in all of my trips I have only met 86 THE 05LOGIST with two nests without the lining of horse hair These exceptions were lined with very fine rootlets, while the bulk of the nest was built as in other cases. The little bird sometimes makes quite long trips for the lining, and it is an in- teresting sight to watch one gather and transport a long hair. At times there are as many as seven hairs in the lining of a nest, but again but one or two. But whether there are two or a half dozen, the hairs are always nicely laid in layers about the sides and bottom, and are smoothed and arranged in a manner superior to anything that man could possibly do. Of course this habit of lin- ing the nest with horse hair is an inno- vation in the bird's methods, for before the introduction of the horse on this continent the Chipping Sparrow de- pended on other materials. This spec- ies, as with nearly, if not all other birds is affected by civilization; and if we study the matter we shall find that civi- lization produces change in many ways on nearly all birds and mammals. The Vireos are very interesting in nest construction and the Red-eye is the most pronounced in its predilection for presenting news in the form of bits torn from printed matter. It is not uncom- mon for the Red-eyed Vireo to attach torn bits of newspaper to the sides of its swaying pensile nest, and these frag- ments sometimes contain pertinent items of news. The nests of the Crows and Blue Jays are bulky, compact structures, the lat- ter being lined with fine roots nicely ar- ranged in a smooth wall. That malign- ed creature, the Shrike or butcher as he is commonly called on account of its habits, which same have been greatly exagerated, builds a warm and compact nest, lining the same with wool and feathers so that its early brood will not suffer from the cold. The Chimney Swift constructs its nest entirely of twigs, of very even size as to length and diameter, and glues them together and to the sides of the chim- ney, or boards when in a barn, which variation occasionally occurs, or to the interior of hollow trees as they formerly nested, and which is still rarely seen. This glue is supplied by the bird, it be- ing secreted from a gland or glands just inside them outh. It is very tenacious in its use as a cement and holds the struct- ure in place with rare exceptions. This glutinous substance is said to be similar to the mucilaginous material secreted by the species known as the edible (bird's nest) Swallow, which is really a Swift, and not a Swallow, we are in- formed. This material secreted by the Chimney Swift, though small in quant- ity, is undoubtedly nutritious, but whether it is possessed of the delectable flavor that is found in that of the orien- tal species has not been determined by any observer in America, or at least not written of. A little bird, the Prairie Horned Lark, well known to observers, but rarely seen by those who do not study our birds, builds a warm nest in the early spring. And well it may make an effort to keep its eggs warm, as the clutch is frequent- ly deposited before the storms of early April have ceased, and not rarely the nest is surrounded by snow. The nest is composed of roots and grasses and warmly lined. This lining takes the form of wool when the nest is in a field near to a flock of sheep. Again the eggs are protected by a lining of fine weed stalks and hair. But notwith- standing the efforts of the birds, the nest was frequently found to be damp and cold. However, the eggs were warm, kept so by the steady application of the bird's incubating breast. Among the starlings we find that the preference is for grass in the case of the Meadow Lark and some Orioles and Blackbirds. The Bronzed Grackle var- ies its nesting habit; generally building a structure resembling the Robin's, but often selecting the hollows in stumps THE OOLOGIST 87 where more available, which makes the task of rearing the young less difficult. For birds are very thoughtful and are always ready to take advantage of bene- fits in the way of extra security for their breed. The Meadow Lark builds out in the field among the tussocks of grass, but generally constructs a canopy over the top of its home which helps to con- ceal the white, pink-spotted eggs. The Bobolink uses grasses and fine roots, and in my estimation conceals its nest more completely than does any other bird which builds on the ground, or near to it. Morris Gibbs, M. D. Kalamazoo, Mich. To be continued. Nests and Egfgs. Birds as a rule are quite constant to their choice of positions for their nests, and rarely change materially from se- lected sites. But this preference for a particular spot or situation is some- times varied, and the changes are inter- esting to note, as it shows the range which a species may take in nesting. One Robin's nest was built in a corn crib; another on the girth of a barn. One nest was found on the top of a stump, two feet above the water of a millpond, and twenty feet or more from shore. Several Robin's nests have been found in hollows of stubs, and one in a side-tracked freight car; still another in a chimney. Several have been dis- covered on the ground, and one on the cut ends of old corn stalks. These few exceptions may show the wide range that one species may take. A Chipping Sparrow's nest was taken from the side of a large straw stack, and one season I found a nest on a very peculiar situation. It was perhaps built by the same pair of birds, as it was only a few rods from the old straw stack, and was placed in the upper working gear of a self-binder, housed in an old shed on the farm, and con- tained four eggs One Chickadee's nest, with eggs was placed on a cross piece in a woodshed nearly in the center of a populous vil- lage. This double departure from a standard was remarkable in this little bird. A Great crested Flycatcher built in the hollow end of a rail on a fence, and a Kingbird nested in a cavity of a stump, only three feet from the ground. A peculiar place for a Phoebe's nest was on the under side of the ex- posed parts of an overturned tree [not an unusual site in Western New York — Ed ] in a beech and maple woods. An- other of the nests of this species was sit- uated under the eaves after the manner of the Eave Swallow; still others were attached to the cavernous interior of a huge sycamore. Of couree this last sit- uation was a common one in an early day, but is now rarely seen since the Pewee has adopted the premises of man and selected the sheds and bridges for its nesting sites. Eave Swallows, as they are now called, formerly built their nests at- tached to the faces of cliffs, yet now they are rarely found in such a position, and I may say that of all the birds known to me that the Eave Swallow is the most constant to one situation. A remarkable instance truly, where a species has changed its habit so radi- cally. Barn Swallows are not nearly so constant, and sometimes vary their habit by building outside like the Eave or Cliff Swallows. Chimney Swifts not rarely build in the gables of barns, and still occa- sionally in the huge hollows of the giant sycamores as they did before the advent of the white man. The Night- hawk, another insect feedei', has modi- fied its habits, and occasionally nests on the gravelled roofs of the city stores. This custom was quite common for sev- eral seasons in Kalamazoo. The Wood- 88 THE OOLOGIST. peckers are quite constant, and I do not recall any variation excepting in the case of the common Flicker, which in time of necessity will resort to any cavity in stump or building. The Warbler family is quite constant, and the only variation, and in no sense remarkable, was when a pair of Yellow Warbiers built a nest in a currant bush in a garden far removed from the gen- erally selected quarters, and only one foot from the ground. Neither do the vireos vary in situation to any degree, yet I have found the nests of both the Yellow-throated and Red-eyed at heights of from two to forty-tive feet from the ground. A Song Sparrow's nest fifteen feet up, and a Dickcissel's structure over twenty, are instances showing how generally low builders will take arise. A Towhee has been known to build in a bush, and as this case, as well as the one with the Song Sparrow were late dates, it has occurred to me that the birds might have been robbed the first attempt, and so tried more elevated quarters for the second trial. When we consider that more than one third of the birds of America nest ou the ground or just above it, it seems aston- ishing that the birds maintain their pos- ition as well as they do. It is not rare to tind the structures of ground nesters buili in bushes in the latter part of the nesting season, and I cannot but think that these variations are the result of disturbances in the earlier attempts at nesting. In a suitable spot for Red-wing black- birds and where there was not an abundance of rushes, the birds built in a lot of cut brush and seemed contented, In new land the Bronzed Grackles adopt hollows in dead trees for nesting situations, and I have found scores of eggs in bare hollows as well as nests built in the hollows, and not a nest built in the regulation manner as usually seen with these birds. A Grass- finch's nest interwoven with the tops of some vigorous red clover, and about a foot up was a curiosity to me. Another ground-bird, the Spotted Sandpiper, distinguished itself by build- ing on a log. A nest of a Rufi"ed Grouse was buiit upon a stump, while a Mourn- ing Dove chose some roots beneath the margin of a gravelly bank. Doctor H A. Atkins found a nest of a Sand- hill Crane which was built on a support for hay in a marsh. A Mallard's nest containing eleven eggs was built in a hollow of a stub and ten feet up and out in a lake twelve feet from shore. There is but slight variation in the situations chosen by the birds of prey, and of all that I have studied the only one which varies to any extent, is the Great Horned owl. This species nests in the hollows of trees about half the time, and again in the old nests of the Crow or Buzzard Hawk. Some birds will accept almost any kind of a situation for a nest and the common House Wren will take posses- sion of any cavity that suits its fancy. In that very artistic and correspond- ingly accurate book "With Nature and a Camera," there are several peculiar instances of odd situations of nests, together with most interesting illustra- tions. It appears that the Robin Red- breast of England, though a difterent species from ours is like it in its varied choice of nesting sites. All birds protect their eggs and young from cold and wet, and I have observed the mother bird covering her brood during a storm. At these times the wings are spread out and the rain is kept off to the best of a bird's ability. However, it is very often a vain attempt and it must be recorded that Nature's act often proves more disastrous than the combined forces of man, together with the many other untoward eftects. Storms are very destructive to bird life in the months of May, June and July, and especially so iu June, when there THE OOLOGIST. 89 are so many young birds in the nests. Some birds, as the Woodpeckers, and others which wisely build in cavities, are practically free from wind and rain, and to an extent from cold; still, this habit does not siem to secure greater protection to the cavity builders in the long run, as the Woodp',ckers do not hold their own any better than the Robin and some others which build ex- posed nests. Not only is the effect of a long con- tinued, or heavy rain very severe on the young; tens of thousands being drowned or chilled to death, but an al- most equally destructive measure lies in the visitation of a severe wind. - In these cases the birds hatched on the ground have a better chance for their lives than the species which are partial to tree habitations. Hawks and owls, and all other large birds are but little affected by the wind as they seem to be able to withstand the effects. But it is not so with many small birds, and many young and eggs are rolled from the nests in each severe wind storm. There are many birds which build but little better than platforms for their nests, and the eggs and youug are often shaken from the nearly level structures I could mention several species which meet with disaster from the wind, but will speak of but one. The small Green-crested Flycatcher constructs a very slightly hollowed nest, and in addition to this apparent lack in judgement, it also selects the extremities of long branches for the at- tachment of its house. It is not sur- prising that the eggs and young are made the sport of the winds. [To be continued.] Montana Magpies. As several seasons have passed since I did anything in the way of collecting, it has not been my fortune to appear as a contributor to the columns of the OoLOGiST in recent times. This season, however, finds me frequently afield in the wilds of central Montana, and though no rare species have added their treasures to my modest cabinet, a few notes concerning our common Montana birds may be of interest. We collectors generally make mistakes in withholding our notes regarding com- mon birds, thinking them of little value, and hence many facts upon migration, nesting dates, and other ornithological data, which might be available for another's use, never see the light. This article, therefore, does not aim to add largely to the body of information re- lative to the habits of so familiar a species as the American Magpie, Pica pica hudsonica, but rather to furnish data from from this region, where col- lectors seem to be few and far between. Spring opened unusally early in this region, fully a month earlier than last season. Few traces of vernal vegeta- tion were noticeable here in '99 before the middle of June; at the date of this writing. May 12th, spring has been reigning for several weeks, the trees and bushes are robed in green, and blossoms scent the air. Early in April the songs of Western Meadowlarks and Mountain Song Sparrows began to ren- der the air vocal with melody, and it is needless to say that such attractions were too powerful to fail in drawing me afiield. My first set of Magpie's eggs was taken on April 21. Other nests con- tained incomplete sets, which were not disturbed, but as this set was found at the close of an afternoon's tiresome tramp, and a period of rainy weather was threatening, the eight eggs were transferred to my collecting box. The nests in this locality are all found in dry, bushy ravines or ''coulees" opening upon the small water-courses. About a mile and a half from my home is a slaughter house, and within a half mile of this attractive center were from 90 THE OOLOGIST eight to ten pairs of nestinj? Magpies. All the nests I have examined were in haw trees, with one exception , which was in a low willow. The nest which furnished the set of eight eggs was exceptional in its un- usual size. Its base was nine feet from the ground and was formed of a mass of stout twigs, within which was a basin-shaped layer of reddish clay, somewhat mingled with the twigs. The clay layer was about an inch in thick- ness. A foot ruler, placed over the clay basin, easily rested within the brim in any direction, showing an unusual measurement in Magpie nests, if it could be removed without destroying its form, would with difficulty be con- tained in a clothes basket of average size. In the clay basin was an inner nest, formed of coarse rootlets and a few horsehairs, the cavity being six inches across and two inches deep, re- markable in its shallowness. The in- ner portion of the Magpie's nest bears a general resemblance to the nest of the Brown Thrasher, and if placed alone in a hedge on a base of small twigs the similarity to the Brown Thrasher's nest would be striking. Extending up- ward on all sides from the twigs, around the clay basin was a loose lat- tice-work of twigs, and over the whole affair was a thick canopy of twigs. There was no noticeable opening for entrance or exit, though in several places the lattice -work was open enough to admit the owners. The space with- in the latticed sides of this nest was large enough to allow the bird to turn without injury to its long tail feathers, this being the only nest I have ex- amined thus roomy. The nest was started in crotches, and extended to all available supports within a foot or two of it. One branch of the main stem ascended obliquely through the space enclosed by the lattice-work of the nest. Most of the eight eggs showed a trace of incubation. During the examination of the nest the owners flew about in the adjacent trees, uttering harsh chattering cries. On April 28rd, while prowling about in a drizzling rain, I found a Magpie's nest in a coulee within one hundred yards of the slaughter-house. One of the birds was on the nest, from which I could see her tail projecting between the latticed side as I drew near the structure. As I straightened up under the tree, she flew out with loud chatter, which she kept up while I remained near. There were only three eggs in this nest, so I left them undisturbed and made it a second visit on April 30, expecting to find eight or nine eggs, but found only six eggs in the comple- ment, incubation begun. The base of this nest was seven feet from the ground, where it was placed among upright haw stems, having the usual basin of reddish clay worked among the basal twigs. The basin was nine inches from brim to brim. The inner nest was near- ly seven inches across, and nearly four inches deep. This nest had a roundish opening on one side, not leading direct ly into the nest, but entering the thick lattice-work obliquely, and leading along the brim. Even by the use of this door, though, the bird would gen- erally turn around upon the nest, as she was setting facing the door on both occasions when I approached. It does not appear that the birds use one open- ing regularly for entrance and an op- posite one for exit, for in all instances where I have found regular openings, the same one was used for both en- trance and exit . The second complete set I found con- sisted of nine eggs, incubation well be- gun, April 25th. The base of this nest was ten and a half feet from the ground, in a haw ticket. The lower portion of the structure was unusually deep. This nest was also much narrower than other nests examined, the latticed sides rising almost upon the brim of the clay basin, THE OOLOGIST. 91 which was well mixed with the sup- portinj? twigs. No regular opening for entrance was noticed. The inner nest was made entirely of rootlets. The third complete set, consisting of nine eggs, incubation begun, was taken on April 27th. The base of this nest was 10 feet from the ground. Like others described, it was in a haw tree, with thick canopy and loosely latticed sides. The inner part was seven inches in diameter and five inches deep, made of rootlets and horsehair, the founda- tion being made in the usual style of Magpie architecture. The female, presumably, was on the nest when I approached it, and remained until I started to climb to an old nost in an ad- jacent tree, when she flew out with a loud chatter. While I was examining the neat, the other bird, which I took for the male, alighted near the nest with a large grub or caterpillar in his bill; but seeing the situation, he gulp- ed down the morsel and joined his pro- tests to those of his mate. In the same coulee, on the sanae after- noon, I found a nest containing se-ven eggs. Not being able to see the con- tents of this nest fully on account of its depth and the thickness of the surround ing sides, I mistook the number for a larger complement, and began to re- move them. I took out three without mishap, but broke the fourth egg on a protruding thorn. It was quite fresh, and feeling the three eggs remaining, I concluded that the set was incomplete, and returned the three I had removed to the nest. I had some doubt as to the result, but visited the nest on May 2nd, finding the pair of Magpies in contented enjoyment of the six eggs, no more having been added to the seven origi- nally found. On April 27th, I also found an incom- plete set of two eggs. Re-visiting the place on May 5th, 1 found only six eggs, incubation well begun. My son, who accompanied me on this expedition, was entrusted with the care of this set; but in descending a juniper-carpeted slope, he slipped several feet, and three eggs survived the mishap. The set is men- tioned to show the size of the comple- ment. There was nothing unusual in the nest or its situation. On May 8th, I took a set of seven eggs well advanced in incubation, from a low willow in a cou^.ee frequented by cattle. The nest was within plain view of a bridge crossing the coulee, the base being ten feet from the ground. It was a well-built affair, though made in the prevailing style. This nest had two openings in the latticed sides, though not directly opposite, and the tail of the setting bird was not protruding from one as I approached, for it showed plainly at a place about midway be- tween the openings. As she frequently alighted near with loud chatter while her home was being despoiled. I no- ticed that her tail was badly frayed along the sides. This set of eggs was the finest I had taken, being short and thick, having a greenish-gray ground, heavily blotched with dark markings, and brightly polished surfaces, the lat- ter being lacking in other sets mention- ed. Re-visiting the first nest, mentioned under date of April 21>t, I found a set of seven eggs on May 9th, incubation begun. I can not say whether these belonged to the pair which had first used the nest, but mention the fact of the nest's being occupied the second time, which I find not unusual. How- ever, I have not found any instances of nests of the proceeding year being used by the Magpies. It would be interesting in this con- nfction to note characteristic traits in the behavior of the Magpies, but this article has already exceeded its intend- ed length; and craving the obliging ed- itor's pardon for taking such undue liberty, we leave the Magpies until another season. P. M. SiLLOWAY, Lewiston, Mont. THE OOLOGIST Four Interesting- Warblers. Black AND White Waebler. Mn- iotilta varia: — 1 know of but two in- stances of this Warbler breeding in Livermore, both nests being found by the writer, one nest contained five eggs the other four. The first nest was sit- uated at the edge of a woods in the dirt and roots of an uprooted tree, the other was in the deep woods, built in a rotten hemlock stump. The nests were composed of dead leaves and bark strips and lined with hair and hair-like roots. Eggs white, wreathed around the large end with chestnut and hazel. This bird is mentioned as a common breeder in this locality and is seen quite abundantly here, but I have been unable to find but two nests and have searched for them for years, so have came to the 3onclusion that it does not breed nearly so abundantly as Myrtle Warbler. Dendroica coro- nata: — This Warbler has been found breeding quite abundantly la Liver- more, by the writer and others in the month of May and June and first half of July. Its nest being built in a thick growth of small pines. I have never found them built in any other conifer- ous growth. The height from the ground ranges from five to fifteen feet. The nests were all built in upright branches, running out from the main body of the tree and were composed of fine hemlock twigs and dead grasses and lined with tine grass and a few hairs, have found several nests warmly lined with feathers of the Ruffed Grouse. The eggs in all of the nests that I have examined were four in number, never more or less, and in color were creamy white, spotted and speckled with brown and lilac and a few dots of black, thick- est near the large end in the form of a wrealh. This species although more common than the Black and White Warbler in this locality, is not nearly so abundant a breeder as Magnolia • Warbler. Dendroica maculosa: —T\n9> species has been found breeding abundantly in the coniferous growths of Livermore, nesting in spruce, fir and hemlock, at a height of from three to eight feet from the ground. In nearly all the nests I have examined the number of eggs were four, have found only one set of five, but in a few instances there was but three of the Warbler and one of that pest, the Cow- bird. I sometimes think that the Cow- bird throws out one of the Warbler's eggs, to make room for her own. The nest of this Warbler is composed of twigs of the hemlock, dead grass and weeds, and lined with black hair-like roots. The nest is loosely made. The eggs are white spotted and speckled with lilac, lavender and brownish black, thickest around the large end. The Magnolia Warbler, although a more abundant breeder than the Black and White or Myrtle, does not breed so abundantly in this locality as Chestnut- SIDED Warbler. Den- droica pensylvanica: — This littlo War- bler is a very common breeder iu Liver- more, nearly every bushy pasture con- tains nests of this species, built in low hazels and other bushes, from two to five feet above the ground, nests most abundantly in June, many nests are found that contain eggs of the Cowbird. The nest of this Warbler is composed of bark strips, dead grasses and plant- down and lined with fine dead grasses and horse hair. All nests I have ex- amined were very loosely constructed, nearly all the nests contained four eggs never more, a few only three, color white, speckled and spotted with chestnut brownish and Jilac. which forms a wreath around the large end the rest of the egg is sparingly dotted. In concluding this paper will say if it is accepted by the Editor and readers of the Oologist, that in some future issue I will write my experience with four more interesting birds of this family: The Black-throated Green Warbler, Oven Bird, Maryland Yellow- throat and American Redstart. Guy H. Briggs, Livermore, Maine. THE OOLOGIST. 93 "You might as well be out of the Bird World al- together as go without THE OSPREY." T"HR OSF^RRY, An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Popular Ornithology. Edited by Theodore Gill, in Co-op- eration with Robert Ridgway, L. Stejneger, C- W- Richmond and Other EminentOrnithologists. The Osprey does not keep a poet, but it has an office cat who can catch more birds than all the poets put to- gether. If you don't believe this, read The Osprey. If you want to buy, sell or exchange specimens, advertise in The Ospkey. If you want to keep in with other Bird Men, subscribe for The OSPEEY. If you want to write about Birds, you can do it in The Osprey, provided you know how to write. Jf you like a beautifully printed and pro- fusely illustrated magazine, all about Birds you must have The Osprey. Terms— One Dollar a Year. Published by the: osmtey company, 321-323 41/2 St., W^ashington, D. C. Time Yet! I will fill orders from my recent Re- moval Lists until July 1st. If you have no copy and need Snpplif s, (Taxi- dermists'or Oologists'), Shells, Miner- als, etc., send for one at once. Jt^^After July 1st address at Roches- ter, N. Y. ERNEST H. SHORT, ALBION, N. Y. JAMES P. BABBITT, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Taxidermists' Supplies, Bird Skins, Eggs & Publications. Fine Imported Glass Eyes a Specialty. Illustrated Catalogue and large monthly bulle- tin of bargains in Birds Skins and Eggs free upon application. TAUNTON, MASS. Collectors, Dealers, Everybody. Take Notice. Owing to my change of loca- tion to Rochester, N. Y. June 1st I am offering unheard of bargains in Glass Eyes, Instru- ments, Birds Eggs, Bird Skins. Minerals, Shells, etc. Send for list quick. Offer limited to month of May. Address ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. ?mmm '7^m Our fee returned if we fail. xVuy one sending sketch and description of any invention will promptly receive our opinion free concerning the patentability of same. "How to Obtain a Patent" sent upon request. Patents secured through us advertised for sale at our e.vpense. Patents taken out through us receive special 7ioHce, without charge, in The Patent Record, an illustrated and widely circulated journal, consulted by Manufacturers and Investors. Send for sample copy FREE. Address, VICTOR J. EVANS & CO. {Patent Attorneys,) Evans Building, WASHINGTON, D. C. T HIS PAPER is printed at the Book and Magazine Publishing House of A. M. EDDY, Albion, N. Y. mA mm 'PEATFP And SAVE MORE rjm HALF on '^-^ ^ihecostof ■ -Carlrid^es ■■pjr 33-oalibre cartridges for a Marlin, Model 1893, cost only *5.00 a thousand. 33-calibre cartrilai-lin on the tirst two thousand cartridms. Whv this is SI) is fully exiilained in tlic 3larlin liand IJook for sliooters. It also ttdls liow to oart- for Ih-t-ai-iiis anil how to use tlieni. How to load oartriilt,'Hs with tlio different kinds of black and sniokeless powders. It gives trajectories, ve- locities, iieni'trations and 1000 other points of interest to sportsmen. 198 pases. Free, if you •«ill vHiid stamps for postage to THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO., New Haven, Conn 94 THE OOLUGIST. The Student's Shell Collection. This Collectiou contains Forty Small Shells collected from all iiuarters of the Globe, all of which are nuiiiliered to correspond with a cat- alogue, whicli gives their proper, common and scifutitic iiamcs, with the locality where found. These shells when purchased individually and properly labelled would cost from 2 to 25 cents each. The following are the specimens found in this collection: Scorched Murex, Thorny-nosed Murex, Fish Basket, Gem Shell, Inflated Olive, Lettered Olive, Rice, Dove, Thunder Storm, Pelican's Foot, Ringed Cowry. Snake-head Cowry, Money Cowry, Rye, Porcelain Rump, Boat, Worm, Brown Snail, Yellow Pea. Beaded Tower, Tow- er, Bloody Tooth, White Tooth, Zebra, Wheel. Venetian Snail. Key-hole Limpet, Many-lined Bulimulus. Hunch backed Partula, Black- mouthed Tree Snail. Banded Tree Snail, Little Agate, Silk Worm, Pea Nut, Banded Melara- pus, Indian Wampum, Angel Wing, Sun, Scal- lop and Jingle- Price $1.00. If sent prepaid 6 cents must be added to pay postage on same — otherwise it will go by ex- press at purchaser's expenses. Special :— Until June 1st will send one of the above collections prepaid for only 31 crs. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion. N. Y. The Young Naturalist's Marvelous Collection. A truly "Marvelous" collection and most ap- propriately named for the class for whom it's intended. The collection contains the follow- ing specimens, which retail at from 1 to 10c each: Card of Marine Algaea, 15 Foreign Stamps, Sand Dollar, Chinese Coin, Tusk Shell, "Wam- pum " Organpipe Coral, Red, Yellow and Brown-banded Sea Beans, Branch Coral, E. I., Spearhead or Arrowhead, Money Cowry, Pink Coral, Alligator Tooth, Worm Shell, Sand Shark or Skate Egg, Limpet, Bloody-tooth Shell, Inflated Olive Shell, Egg Capsules of Periwinkle, Piece of Tapa Cloth, Chinese Horn Nut, Yellow Coral, Campaign Badge, Satin Spar, Peanut or Rope Shell, Gum Pine. Dove Shell, Leaf from Japanese Book, Thorny-nosed Murex, Scaphites nodosus, Precious Coral, 3 Cassia Beans, Fiddler Crab, Egg of Red-winged Blackbird, Beetle, Lynx Cowry. Japanese Eburna, Pelican's Foot Shell, "Liver- Bean, Piece of Mexican Pottery, Copper-stained spec, of Calcite Stalactite, Valve of Radiated Scallop Shell, Branch Coral, W. I., Sertularia, Piece of Sea Fern. Price 11.00. If sent jn'epaid 15 cents must be sent to pay for same otherwise it goes by express at pur- chasers expense. Special:— Until June 1st I will send one of the above collections prepaid for only 40 cts. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. MONTROSE BIGYGLEHnlFREE on approval to your address lV/r##OWr>I CENT IN ADVANCE. SEND us YOUR OI?U£i?, state whether you wish ladv's or man's wheel; prive color, height of frame and gear wanted and WE WILL SHIP THE WHEEL C. O. D. on approval, allowing you to uncrate and ex- amine it fully before you accept it. It it is not all and more than we claim for it, and a better wlieel than you can get for any where near the pi'ice from any one else, refuse it and we \\ ill pay all express charges ourselves. The "MONTROSE" Bicycle d;i ^ *=o at our Special Agent's sample price of "*' | ^!^' is the greatest bargain in a bicycle ever ofifered. We guarantee it equal to any $40 wheel on the market, and you need not accept it nor pava cent if you do not And it as we represent. We are EXCLl'SIVE BIt'YC'LE MANTFACTl'IiEKS and take this method of quickly introducing our 1900 MODEI.1S. This offer of a sample wheel at this low price is made to secure a RIDER A GENT in each town to represent us and take orders. Our agents make money fast. CDCnClf^ATinilC Frame, 22, 2tor26inch;laQles, 22inch. Best Or kWiriuM I lUllOi Shelby seamless tubing with forged connec- tions, flush joints, improved expander device to fasten seat post and handle bar; Koyal Arch crown; the celel)rated Mavis hubs and hanger — the easiest running known; Record "A" tires, the best and one of the most expensive tires on the market. The genuine $4 Mcsineer IlyKienio saddle; pedals, tools and accessories the best obtainable. Enameled in black, maroon or coach green, highly finished and ornamented; special finished nickeling on all briglit parts. We thorouglily test every jiiece of material that goes into this machine. Our binding year's guar- nntce bond with each bicycle. PPCC t"^ ^"y Oh® sending the $16.50 cash in full with order we will rnCC send free a genuine Hurdlrk 10,000 mile barrel pattern cyclo- meter; or a high grade floor pump. Your money all back if you are not perfectly satisfied. AUFin UUUCCIC Ws do not manufacture the cheap depart- UnCflr irnCCLdi ment store kind of wheels, such as many new concerns and big supply houses advertise and sell as higli grade. We can furnish them, however, at 85 to $7 stripped; or $9.7.=) to $12.50 complete. We do not guarantee nor recom- mend them. BEFORE ORDERING a bicycle of any one else, no matter who or how cheap, write u» and let us tell you how much we can save you on the same machine. If you IIIIJIDI C Ia RIIV awheel we can assist you to EARN A BICYCLE bydis- are UllflDLC lU DU I tributing catalogues for us a few days. We need one person In each town for this purpose. We have several hundred SECOND HAND WHEELS taken in trade which we will close out at $8 to iflO each; also some shopworn samples and '99 models very cheap. Send for Bargain List. Ol'R RELIABILITY is unquestioned. We refer to any bank or business house in Chicago, or any express or railroad company. We will send you letters of reference direct from the largest l)anks in Chicago if you wish it, ^Cyn VnilD flPnCD t»4x5)^, Blair Camera Co., ($1.00), prepaid 14c. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion N. Y. GLASS EYES.— Lot No. 1 contains one pair each Nos. 8 and 15 yellow. No. 9 hazel. No. 18 brown (worth 44c) , all prepaid 24c. Lot No. 2 contains one pair each No. 19 brown style two (veined) for Bear and Nos. 23 and 24 style four (veined, long pupil and cornered) for Deer (lot worth $1.21). All prepaid, only 76cts. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. WANTED.— Will trade books of all kinds for good matched pairs of ivory Elks teeth or sin- gle teeth; also collections of U. S. stamps bought for cash. Address, HALL N. JACK- SON, 36 W. 6th St., Cincinnati, O. 170 YOUR ATTENTION is called to the great sacrifice sale of the collection of W. A. OLD- FIELD of Deckerville, Mich., formerly of Port Sanilac. This is a great chance to secure some good and rare specimens at low price. See ad. in this issue. FOR EXCHANGE: Eggs Of the Cal. Murre at 20c per egg for first class eggs in sets. Send lists to LAWRENCE KESSING, Alameda, Calif. FINE sets to exchange for same, such as 147 1-6, 194 1-4, 212 1-10, 343 1-2, 343 1-3, 348 1-4 and many more. Send your lists and get mine. E. J. DARLINGTON, Wilmington, Del. SETS of 263, 461, 658, 687 with datas for books and papers on Ornithology. R. A. BROWN, 323 Carlisle St., Saginaw, Mich. A 1 Bird Skins and sets to exchange for sets. Send lists and receive mine. J. CLAIRE WOOD, 196 Randolph St , Detroit, Mich. I WISH to purchase a young live Bluebird. FRANK H. SHOEMAKER, 433 Omaha Nation- al Bank Building, Omaha, Neb. SETS Black Vulture, Texas, Sea-side Finch, Caracara Eagle and other desirable sets to ex- change for desirable specimens U. S. Postage Stamps. WALTER E. GROVER, Galveston, Texas. For the Next Sixty Days the the subscripition price of THE BITTERN, the New Illustrated Bird Magazine, will be Reduced from 50c to 25c If you have not seen a copy send a stamp to GLEN M. HATHORN, 1600 E. Ave., Cedar Rapids, la , and receive one by return mail. CHOICE North Dakota Sets PER EGa Western WlUet, 1-4, 1 3 40c Bart. Sandpiper, 3-4, l 3 15 Wilson's Phalarope, 2-3 -85 Klldeer, 3 4 10 Spotted Sandpiper, 1-4 10 Belted Piping Plover, 3-4, 1-3 50 Prairie Sharp-tail Grouse, 1-6 20 Ch.-coUared Long Spur, 2-3 15 Swainson Hawk, 3-2 20 Marsh Hawk, 2 5 20 Ferruginous Rough-leg Hawk, 1-3 60 Short-eared Owl, 1-7 40 Am. Long-eared Owl, 3-5 15 Green-wing Teal, n-8 30 Gadwall, n-9. n-7, 1-8 80 Canvass-back Duck, 16 30 Redhead Duck, 1-11, 1-10 10 Shoveller, 1-9, 1-7 10 Mallard, n-8 08 Am. Golden-eye, 2-10, Ml 20 First-class with data. Personally collected. No exchanges. Carriage prepaid by express on order exceeding f3.00. On order exceeding 110 net vrill allow discount 10 per cent. Refer- ences, J. P. Norris, Jr., William Brewster and others. EUGENE S. ROLFE. MINNEWAUKEN, N. DAK. "You might as well be out of the Bird World al- together as go without THE OSPREY." "THR OSPRB.Y, An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Popular Ornithology. Edited by Theodore Gill, in Co-op- eration with Robert Ridgway. L. Stejneger, C- W. Richmond and Other Eminent Ornithologists. The Osprey does not keep a poet, but it has an office cat who can catch more birds than all the poets put to- gether. If you don't believe this, read The Osprey. If you want to buy, sell or exchange specimens, advertise in The Osprey. If you want to keep in with other Bird Men, subscribe for The Osprey. If you want to write about Birds, you can do it in The Osprey, provided you know how to write. If you like a beautifully printed and pro- fusely illustrated magazine, all about Birds you must have The Osprey. Terms— One Dollar a Year. Published by THE OSPREY COMPANY, 321-323 4'/2 St., Washington, D. C. WANTED:— Photographs of birds or ani- mals in wild state, am willing to pay in cash for same or exchange. Correspondence de- sired. T, W. RICHARDSON, 1785 Madison Ave., New York City. 100 THE OOLOGIST. Taxidermy Made Easy. Have you our Process of Taxi- dermy? If you have not you will be surprised to know that there's money to be made preservinct specimens for the rcarket for the School, Parlor, Of- fice, etc. Any boy, girl or Sportsman may mount his own specimens at first attempt as well as decorate the town around, as the cost is next to nothing. You may make money at this work no matter where you are, On receipt of $1 GO I will send one pound of our Pre- servative, ready for use and complete Instructions how to mount Birds, Ani- mals, Heads how to dress skins with hair on for Rugs, Robes and Hangings, etc. You will succeed in this work, and as the cost is nearly nothing, you should take advantage of it as it is away ahead of old way. No experience needed, requires no tools whatever. 15 is sufficient to mount a bird size of Blue Jay. CHAS. SICKLES, 418 Eleanor St., Kalamazoo, Mich. Have you tried my process of Rapid Taxidermy? If not you will be gratified by a big surprise. There is money to be made by the preservation of specimens for the market or the school, par- lor, office and den. Any boy, girl or sportsman may learn this method at the first attempt.and decorate the trophies and birds of the neigh- borhood. The cost is next to nothing, and when several go in and work together, there is no cost. You may make money in any town or the country, On receipt of $i.oo cash or stamps I will send the complete printed instructions to mount Birds, Mammals, Heads, etc., and one pound of the Preservative, ready prepared for the work ; together with complete directions for dressing skins with the hair on, for rugs, robes and hangings, and in addition I will make the extra inducement of offering the for- mula for making the Preservative Compound, with the privilege of selling the same. The process will be exchanged for $3.00 worth of stamps, or for other exchange. What have you to offers Address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. JAMES P. BABBITT, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Taxidermists' Supplies, Bird Skins, Eggs & Publications. Fine Imported Glass Eyes a Speeialty. Illustrated Catalogue and large monthly bulle- tin of bargains in Birds Skins and Eggs free upon application. TAUNTON, MASS. THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Has published three-fourths of the most inter- esting descriptions of the nests and eggs or rare species ot the West, which have been printed during the past six years, Including the Hermit Warbler, Western Evening Gros- beak. White throated Swift, California Vulture, etc., etc. It is now publishing "THE CONDOR" Formerly the BULLETIN of the COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB A crisp and breezy 16 to 24 page bi-monthly bird journal, illustrated as required. The arti- cles are all from field workers and have a ring which enthuses the live ornithologist. The only Bird Magazine devoted solely to the Or- nithology of the Great West. Al>vays out on time! You want it! Subscription 91 a year. Sample copy, 20c. For sample, address C. BARLOW, Editor-in- chief. Santa Clara. Cal. Subscriptions to DON- ALD A. COHEN, Business Manager, Alameda, Cal. Subscription may commence with No. 1 (Jan- uary, 1899.). The Student's Shell Collection. This Collection contains Forty Small Shells collected from all quarters of the Globe, all of which are numbered to correspond with a cat- alogue, which gives their proper, common and scientific names, with the locality where found. These shells when purchased individually and properly labelled would cost from 2 to 2.5 cents each. The following are the specimens found in this collection: Scorched Murex. Thorny-nosed Murex, Fish Basket. Gem Shell. Inflated Olive. Lettered Olive, Rice, Dove, Thunder Storm, Pelican's Foot, Ringed Cowry, Snake-head Cowry. Money Cowry. Rye, Porcelain Rump, Boat, Worm, Brown Snail, Yellow Pea. Beaded Tower, Tow- er, Bloody Tooth. White Tooth, Zebra, Wheel. Venetian Snail, Key-hole Limpet, Many-lined Bulimulus, Hunch backed Partula, Black- mouthed Tree Snail. Banded Tree Snail, Little Agate, Silk Worm, Pea Nut, Banded Melam- pus, Indian Wampum, Angel Wing, Sun, Scal- lop and Jingle' Price $1.00. If sent prepaid 6 cents must be added to pay postage on same— otherwise it will go by ex- press at purchaser's expenses. Special :— Until June 1st will send one of the above collections prepaid for only 31 crs. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. PILLOW INHALER with \}4 bottles inhal- ent. Good as new. Fine for catarrh, asthma, tbroat trouble. Cost *fi. $3 cash or best offer of eggs or books. W. H. SHEAK, Peru Ind. WANTED— To exchange fine Mounted Birds, Bird Skins and Eggs in sets and singles with datas for first class Bird Skins not in my col- lection. JESSE T. CRAVEN, Holley, N. Y. The Oologist. VOL. XVII. NO. 7. ALBION, N. Y., JULY-AUGUST, 1900. Whole No. 168 The Oologist. A Monthly Publication Devoted to OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. FRANK H. LATTIN, Editor and Publisher, ALBION, N. Y. Correspondence and Items of Interest to the student of Birds, their Nests and Eggs, solicited from all. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: Single subscription 50c per annum Sample copies 5c each The above rates Include payment of postage. Each subscriber Is given a card good for a Want, Exchange or For Sale Notice. (This card la redeemable at any time within one year from date thereon.) Subscriptions can begin with any number. Bacli numbers of the Oologist can be furnished at reasonable rates. Send stamp for descrip- tions and prices. ^r"Remember that the publisher must be noil fled by letter when a subscriber wishes his paper stopped, and all arrearages must be paid. ADVERTISING RATES : 5 cents per nonpareil line each Insertion. 12 lines In every Inch. Seven inches In a col- umn, and two columns to the page. Nothing Inserted for less than 25 cents. No "special rates," 5 cents per line Is "net," "rocli bottom," "Inside," "spot cash" rate from which there Is no deviation and no commission to agents. It you wish to use 5 lines or less space it will cost you 25 cents; loo lines, $5.00; looo lines, $50.00. "Trade" (other than cash) advertise- ments will be accepted by special arrangement only and at rates from double to Ave times cash rates. Due Bills and Cards payable la advertis- ing wUl be honored only at regular rates In force at the date of issuance of said bUl or card. Remittances should be made by Draft, Express or Postofflce Money Order, Registered Letter or Postal Note. Unused U. S. Postage Stamps of any denomination wUl be accepted lor sums un- der one daUar. Malie Money Orders and Drafts payable and address all subscriptions and com- munications to FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y. Nests and Eg'g's. All species of birds, so far as I am aware, are governed by their require- ments in the line of timber for the nests, in selecting their nesting quarters. This is noticable in many cases. For instance, a few pairs of Eave Swallows built each season about half a mile from a small pond. But in time the pond dried up, and the Swallows left the barn eaves and have never returned; for an Eave Swallow must have mud for its nest, and there is apparently nothing which will take its place. Some birds will make a shift in certain cases of necessity. Chimney Swifts, as a rule, use a regular sized twig for nest construction, but in an instance which came under my notice a pair had to make use cf the very fine and irregular twigs from the raspberry vines or bushes. They make a peculiar looking nest, and the Swifts may have thought it odd, but they preferred this timber to travelling farther. Robins may build in any quarter where there is mud to be found, and the situations are various. It is not uncommon that in late April or early May there is a dry time in the land. Only lasting for a week or so, yet it is sufficient to stop the nest building of the Robins, and to keep them at a stand-still for the time being. I have seen a pair of Robins start a nest and the dry weather would come on and stop operations, and the pair would wait about for the rain so they could find the mortar. On one occasion we furnished mortar by letting the hydrant run on the ground. The delighted Robins immediately accepted the situ- ation and gathered materials for the partially finished nest which was quick- ly completed, and the eggs duly deposi- ted. Many birds ornament their nests, evidently with design, for though the birds of a species usually follow a set style, it is nevertheless a principal of ornamentation. The Hummers are well known as dainty designers, and our little Ruby-throat is the maker of one of the most beautiful little struct- ures in the woi'ld. Composed of deli-. 102 THE OOLOGIST. cate cottony substances, and of the lightest materials possible, it is covered on the outside with delicate bits of lichens, which are caused to adhere to the little home by the use of spider's web The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher con- structs an equally well finished home, and though not considered equally fine with the Hummer's nest because of its larger size, is in reality fully as well made. The Wood Pewee also makes a finely covered nest of lichens. Another decorator in lichens is the Yellow- throated Vireo. which constructs its pensile nest at the end of a branch, and not on the upper side of the limb as with the Hummer and Gnatcatcher. These four species are the only ones which habitually cover the nests with lichens, but all of the Vireos of my acquaintance have the tendency to ornament the exterior with various substances, and the Red-eye in partic- ular is given to this agreeable display of artistic taste. Very often the Red- eyed Vireo will attach pieces of print- ed newspaper to the sides of the nest, giving it a decidely neat and peculiar appearance. The paper is not tacked on in great pieces, but is torn iuto frag- ments and gracefully draped about the nest. Very often the bits of paper con- tain words and even short sentences quite pertinent, and sometimes these finds are kept as curiosities, Then there are some species of birds which are given to decorating their nests, that is in the eyes of outsiders, but who really follow the habit for other purposes. For instance, the ducks follow the practice of stripping the down from the breast and covering the eggs in the nest. It is not known why this brown down is used. Some theorizers claim that it is to keep the eggs warm during the absence of the parent, others say that it is for the purpose of concealing the eggs, while many think it answers a double pur- pose. The habit, common to all nest- ing ducks, I am informed, is probably for the concealment of the eggs, for it is not reasonable to suppose that this is a necessity so far as keeping the eggs warm is concerned in a section as far south as the 42nd parallel, and yet the habit is followed in the United States as well as in Greenland. There are many points in the natural history of our birds which we have not as yet fully fathomed. In taking up the point of concealment, we find that there are many other species of birds besides the ducks that follow the practice of concealing the eggs when the nest is left alone. One class, the divers, is partially given to this habit of concealing the eggs when they are left, and no other bird more thoroughly conceals the eggs than does the com- mon grebe of hell-diver, as it is called. Yet the Great northern diver, a very sly and sagacious bird, does not make any attempt to conceal its eggs. The grebe does not place down upon its eggs but simply pulls a mass of rubbish, moss and grass and dead reeds over the eggs when they are left, removing the covering when the nest is again re- turned to. The duck's eggs are prob- ably covered with the down, even when the bird is on the nest; at least on the instant when the old bird leaves the nest the eggs are found to be fully covered. Once when I came close to a nest, and when the setter did not know of my presence, the eggs were found completely covered when the female hastily left. I have not yet learned of any of the perching birds which cover their eggs. All birds have a system or arrange- ment in the deposition of the set of eggs in the nest, and there are very few species, if any, in which some peculiari- ty is not to be found if careful observa- tion is made. Many birds so plainly and invariably show this tendency to a set arrangement that the habit is well known to all observers. It is of these THE OOLOGIST. 103 well known examples that we will speak. The Loon or Great northern diver always deposits two eggs of an almost perfectly elliptical shape, which lie side by side and at about three-fifths of the length of the trough-like depres- sion from the front of the nest. From the position of the eggs an observer may tell the position of the bird on the nest, as the setter is long bodied and the abdomen is well back from a cen- ter. This arrangement is verified by watching the birds on the eggs. The turtle dove, nighthawk, and whip-poor- will each lay two egg which are placed side by side. The Spotted Sandpiper and Killdeer plover, and I presume all of the shore birds, at least so far as I know, lay four eggs at a clutch, and arrange them in the nest or on the bare ground with their small ends together, and as they pyriform they join in to perfection. The eggs of all snipes and plovers are proportionatelyly exceeding large com- pared to the size of the bird, and the saving of space by this arrangement undoubtedly answers a purpose. It is impossible to offer a solution to this problem of order, unless we suggest that it is a wise provision of a power which ordains the arrangement which best admits of the bird's covering the eggs thoroughly. It is fair to doubt if the sandpiper could cover her four large eggs if they were arranged in any other position. The shore birds are not provided with a plenty of fluffy feath- ers like the grouse and bob- white which lay many eggs at a clutch. If this ar- rangement of the set is broken and the eggs changed about, ii will usually be found that the birds will rearrange the clutch, showing conclusively that the birds reason in regard to the position which will give the setter the best chance to cover the four eggs, I have disarranged the set, turning the small- er ends out, and have almost invariably found that the set would be rearranged in the course of a day. Continued. The Bartramian Sandpiper. The Upland or Field Plover is known as the most elevated species of the fam- ily in its selection of nesting quarters. It is rare to note this bird in the sec- tions selected by others of the snipes, sandpipers, and plovers, and it is very unusual to meet with it at any time along the lake shores or streams, as it prefers uplands and I have knowledge of its nesting on the highest land be- tween Chicago and Detroit. Upland, therefore, applies well to the species, as it is often, nay, usually found nest- ing at quite a distance from a lake or stream. This habit is observable in the region of the Great Lakes, and it is said to be more noticable in the west. The names— snipe, sandpiper, plover and others applying to the shore birds, are quite often indiscriminately used for the same bird, and are used as the terms finch, linnet and sparrow are for the small seed-eating birds. Still, th re is a distinction among the shore-birds, and the name plover does not apply to this species, as it is not a plover in any sense; not belonging to that family. But usage is hard to combat, and this bird will always be known as a plover. In the west where creatures quite often receive unusual and startling names this snipe is known as grass plover, praire snipe, prairie pigeon, probably in allusion to some note resemblance, and at Manitoba is known commonly as ' Quaily." The A. O. U. name, Bar- tramian Sandpiper is a good one; it was given in honor of the renowned Pro- fessor Bartram in the early part of this century. The Field Plover arrives in Michigan in middle April or a little earlier, but is not seen in any numbers until after the 20th, of the month. Some morn- ing, when we are out for snipe, provid- ed you are an advocate of spring shoot- ing, we may hear a peculiar note or series of twitterings. These are pleas- 104 THE OOLOGIST. ing to the ear, and the amateur cannot fail to notice them from their very oddi- ty. The sounds at times, fall to us in the balmy spring air like the love song of the common tree toad, and on several occasions I have been deceived. On one occasion, long ago. I even went so far as to hitch my horse to the fence, and enter the field with my gun for the birds, only t) find that I had been fool- ed by several musical tree toads. It is very easy to distinguish the notes if both creatures sing at once, as I have proven but this only makes it the more remark- able that a person can be deceived. Besides this serifs of notes wo often hear a pleasing warble, like putt putt putt err-r-rr putt er-r-r, and looking up see a bird flying about apparently aimlessly, at a great-height. Occasion- ally a long drawn ichee hee-u-u-u is strained forth, and this last effort is probably its love song, as it is uttered in the spring when mating and the other not s are emitted at various seasons as well. This species often flies at an immense height, and I have seen them fluttering when almost out of sight, and when their notes could scarcely be distinguish- ed. The flight is very vigorous and rapid when the plover attempts it, but generally when undisturbed the move- ments are (xceedingly varied. Some- times the pair will sweep along at a great latt ; flying low over the meadows. Then again the birds seem to flutter about in a very lazy manner, seeming to enjoy themselves in perfect abandon. In some of their movements these plovers remind me of the actions of the sandhill crane. Sometime in May the pair makes selection of their summer home, and during the month deposit four pyriform eggs in a very shiftless inartistic nest on the ground, after the manner of most of the birds of this fam- ily. The structure is composed of a little grass and in situations far remov- ed from water in most instance. The eggs are speckled with brownish on a light butr, and are nearly always found with their smaller ends together for con- venience of the setter. Although the eggs are not concealed in any way, still it is a diOicult matter to find them, even when one knows the part of the field in which the birds are nesting. The surest way to find the nest is to observe the movements of the birds. But even this is not always easy for the old bird is ever alert, and after you have seen the shy bird alight and disappear, you will frequently find that the sly creature will sneak from the nest through the grass when you approach the situation. When there are young on the ground the old birds will try the allurements of this kind of birds, and attempt to lead you from the situation by feigning lameness. There are many species of birds in America which are not included in the arbitrary list called game birds, and yet are held in high esteem by the shooting fraternity. It is hard y fnir to give the woodcock and j ick snipe a higher posi- tion in the scale of the gunner's estima- tion simply because they lie well to the dog, while many others of this and other families will not do so. The list of game birds, as well as fishes is simply an ar- bitrary one, and we are at liberty to make a list to suit the fancy of each hunter. The Field Plover, according to my observation of more than a quarter of a century, is one of the most alert and wary snipes that we have; and anyone who proves himself capable of stalking the birds in their selected quarters, gives evidence of possessing the prowess of an educated nimrod. Because of its scarcity, and as well from its elusive ways, it is but little, or not at all known to the gunner who habitually hunts with a dog, for that class of men rarely comes in contact with it, as we know that the gunner who hunts with a dog are not generally shooters. Nevertheless, there THE OOLOGIST. 105 is as much skill required to success! ]ly hunt the Bartramiaa Sand piper success- fully as was ever required to take the snipe, bob white or woodcock. Yes — and far more, for the patieoce n quired is out cf all proporiiou to the chances of a decent-sized bag. Septcmb»^r is the best month to hunt this lively bird, although in many quar- ters where unprotected, the birds are gathered ia in August, and even in July and when th^ immatures are often too young to fully ( ace fur themselves. The Upland Plover is found over a wide range of country nnd has been found breeding from the East to Alaska. It is rare west of the Rockies, and is becom- ing scarce in the east, where a gunner thinks himself in gnod luck il he bags two or three on a trip. I have hunted this bird in Massachusetts, Michigan and Illinois, and have found it the same elusive, active bird in all sections Where it "s huuted in the East with de- coys it is not a grand success, and while there are about a score of other shore- birds, large and small, which ai'e lured, this plover is not commonly c.illed in on account of its shrewdness and penetra- tion Such a thing as a potshot is not known and the chances areeven against getting a good fcii g e, for the birds are scary and rarely give a better show than at tifty yards. Adding to this that they are vigorous llyers and are capable of carrying olT a good sized load apparent- ly, and it will be seen that the Upland Plover or snipe is a difficult bird to cap- ture. As a table bird, there are none better, and the delicacy of a bird of the season shot in the autumn is equal to that of anything placed before the banqueter. But let me add, that they should never be hunted in the spring, both from the fact that they lack the layer of fat which adds so largely to the tiivor, and as well, it is not consistent to shoot in the spring under any conditions Morris Gibbs, M. D , Kalamazoo, Mich. A Story of My Life; By Chondestes grammacus strigatus. WM. L. ATKINSON, SANTA CLARA, CAL, In the following story I shall en- deavor to record a true history of my life which has been one of trials and tribulations as I think one will admit after having read it. My true name is Chondestes gram- macus strigatus but I am perhaps bet- ter known to the inhabitants of this large world as Western Lark Sparrow. I first saw the light of day in a nest on the ground in a large meadow in that beautiful country of California where I was hatched and reared with a brother and two sisters. Those were indeed happy days! My father sitting on a small bush near our home would favor us with many beautiful songs while my mother fed us with the grain, worms and insects which made up our usual meal. When we were able to fly and to partly look after our own well being a happy party we were, flitting around through the hedges and meadows ad- jacent to our home, our ever watchful parents warning us of approaching enemies in time for us to make our es- cape. Here, however, my first great calamity befell me. One day we were all feeding along a roadside when a boy with a long destroyer which made a great noise killed my father, brother and sisters, and injured my mother so severely that she could not fly and was captured and killed by a dog. I was also wounded, being shot in the leg, and although I escaped and soon re- covered sufliciently to walk, I have never regained full use of that leg. After the loss of my family I was very lonesome and wished a great many times that I had been destroyed with them. However, I soon fell in with a family party of relatives, Spizella so- ciaUs, and when I had told them my troubles they invited me to join them. 106 THE OOLUGIST which I very gladly did. A short time after I joined them it began to grow cold 80 wo all decided to leave our present abiding places and go in search of a warmer clime. Wo traveled many days in a southerly direction, over broad rivers, green fields and large for- ests, until we at length arrived in a beautiful country of large orange groves where the air was ever warm and pleasant. As there was a great variety of food here, we decided to re- main for an indehnite period. At this time I had a dispute with one of the sons of Mr. Spizella socialis and as the whole family took sides with him I de- cided to leave them. After I left their company I wander- ed around, meeting many of my rela- tives, but was not content to abide long with any of them until I met a gentle- man who bore the same name that I did and who informed me that he was my uncle. He was very glad to see me and invited me to join his family, which consisted of his wife, one son and two daughters. His daughters were very beautiful, the younger one especially, and I immediately fell in love with her. The days passed very pleasantly now and very rapidly also. I had but one serious adventure, of which time I narrowly escaped being caught and devoured by a cat. The time was now approaching when I felt inclined to return tojmy old home, and as I disliked to travel alone, I asked and received permission of my uncle to take his youngest daughter with me. We were duly married, and after re- ceiving some good advice from t he old folks, set out upon our journey. I was so happy I could not refrain from singing nearly all the time, and my wife was good enough to tell me that I sang very well, almost as well, in fact as her father. This made me feel quite flattered; for her father was a vocalist of repute. After traveling leisurely northward for a time we came to a beautiful valley which was covered with fruit trees, at this time in full bloom, and their fragrant and beautiful blossoms made one think of Paradise. I was told that one of these orchards was owned by a friend of the birds, called an Ornithologist, so we travelled until we found it In this orchard many birds were nesting, and as they told me he never allowed their nests to be disturbed, we decided to remain here and build our summer home. The on- ly difficulty was that there were no bunches of grass growing in the orchard and the traditions of our family tell us that we should always build our nest on the ground under a bunch of grass or weed. However, we decided at last to build in the first forks of a large prune tree about one foot and a half above the ground, and so began building our home on the 16th of April, 1899, of twigs, straw and rootlets. The inter- ior we lined with soft fine grass and hair. By working hard we had our nest ready for the eggs nine days after we started it, and five days later found my mate sitting upon five beautiful eggs, four of which were hatched twelve days later, or upon the 8th of May. My happiness was then complete, but it was soon to be turned to sorrow, for when our babies were but two days old two terrible dogs tore down our home and devoui'od them, although we tried in every manner possible to prevent them from doing so. After we had somewhat recovered from the shock occasioned by this ter- rible loss we decided to build again, this time selecting a fork in a prune tree two and one-half feet up, in which we .built our nest and which in due time held three eggs, they being hatch- ed upon the 5th day of June. We thought we had placed our home high enough up in the tree to be secure, but in this we were mistaken, for upon the 8th of June, our home was destroyed THE OOLOGIST. 107 and our babies devoured by the same arch-criminals who had murdered our other family. After this last sad exper- ience, my mate became sick and never rallied, dying of a broken heart ten days after her babies were destroyed. Soon after her death, 1 left the scene of my many troubles for the beautiful southland, where I am at this time wan- dering around in a siate of loneliness bordering upon despair, and waiting the welcome time when I shall join my wife and family in our future home. Hawk Notes— Oological- 1899. Marsh Hawk. May 19th was the day I had appointed for exploring a marsh where I expected to find nests of the above named species. After some time I finally Hushed a female Hawk off her rest, out of a clump of small will- ows where the water was several inches deep. The nest contained only two eggs, desiring full and complete sets only, I moved on, as a full clutch gen- erally contains five eggs and an egg being deposited every alternate day. I calculated the set would be complete about the 25th. My time being limited I soon turned homeward without any further find of interest. Next day, this being the 20th, I set out in another direction for sets of the same species, found a nest on a piece of wild rough upland right in a clump of small willows, but this contained only one €gj?- Again 1 made a hasty calculation and set tne day to return on the 27th. Making a few notes in my book, I mov- ed on, found a nest of Cooper's Hawk, but that will come under its own head- ing. Well on the 25th according to figura- tion I yisited nest No. 1 and found Madam Hawk at home. After coming within five yards of the nest she flew up revealing five bluish-white eggs, no markings whatever upon them. Nest situated in several inches of water sur- rounded with small willow bushes. Composed of sticks coarse weed stalks, brier stems, etc. on top of which was a quantity of grass. Nest measured 16 inches across with a depression of 2i inches. The 27th following was the day set for collecting set No. 2, but something unexpectedly turned up and T was de- layed until the 30th. On which day I might have been seen making tracks for the Hawk's nest. When I came to within ten rods of the nest, the male came to meet me cir- cling and crying overhead. As I drew nearer he would now and then swoop down at me with loud cries as if to drive me away. The female soon flew off the nest, I suppose she knew by his cries of alarm that something awful was coming. She now joined her mate and the two came at me with x'enewed force, they would swoop and dive un- pleasantly close to my head while I was examining the nest. This also held five eggs; hastily pack- ing them securely and taking all neces- sary notes I took my departure as quick as possible. This nest was constructed of brier and weed stalks, coarse grass and roots, on top of which was an abundance of dry grass. In color the eggs are white with a tinge of blue and very faintly marked with light brown spots and stripes detected only on close examination. The eggs of this species have fre- quently been described, with markings of different colors upon them. |I have collected in this region for the last six or seven years and have examined up- wards of a dozen sets from this locality and the last described set is the only one, that was marked in any way, and that is very faint. From four to six eggs is the complement, five, however, is the general rule, while four or six are only occasional. 333 Cooper's Hawk. On May 20th after finding the second nest of the 108 THE OOLOGIST Marsh Hawk, I soon entered a medium sized grove of about sixty acres. As I was wandering aimlessly about not caring particularly where I went I soon found myself confronted by a barbed- wire fence, looking up suddenly I got a faint glimpse of a dark object in the tree tops not far away. Stepping over the fence, I hurried rapidly on in that direction ^until I could see the nest plainly. At^tirst I thought it was an old Crow's nest, but it looked suspic- ious. All this time I was looking up, but could see nothing on the nest in the form of a bird. I'll just go round to the other side I thought. There was considerable undergrowth about the tree on this side, so I made a small cir- cuit and on coming up on the opposite side I saw what appeared to be a gray tail protruding over the nest and knew instantly I had found something of more interest than a Crow's nest. Going up to the tree as there was no brush on this side I rapped on the trunk with a stick I had picked up for that purpose immediately a Hawk of some species rose ofif the nest and sailed away. I being under the branches could not see the bird very distinctly so was unable to name it. Not knowing what species it was I re- solved to await her return, so going a little ways off I sat down on the ground. I had not long to wait, however, before she was circling over the tree-tops. Her keen eyes must have observed me, although I sat perfectly quiet, for she did not alight on the nest, but came very close. Being satisfied that the bird was Cooper's Hawk. I arose and went to the tree, as the nest was only thirty feet from the ground I . was soon looking in it. When I saw its four white eggs with a faint tinge of blue there was left no doubt as to the iden- tity. Being in a very uncomfortable posi- tion I soon descended bringing the four freshly laid eggs with me. Following is a description of the nest as then tak- en. Outside and general appearance as a Crow's nest, situated in the main fork of a black oak tree, thirty feet from the ground. Composed of medium sized sticks externally, over which were placed finer ones, bark, grass, leaves, etc. Two eggs have very faint markings of light brown upon them, not hardly noticeable. 337 Red TAILED Hawk. Of this species two sets were collected. The first nest being placed in the topmost branches of a burr oak tree, which showed little or no attempt at conceal- ment and was probable the accumula- tion of many years. From March 22nd to the 30th the Red- tails were seen repairing the old nest. So on April 3rd a party consisting of a neighbor, my two brothers and myself set out after "big game" as one of the party termed it. After a pleasant walk in the fresh morning air we ar- rived on the field of action. The nest was easily seen at a distance of half a mile as the nest tree was one of the outermost ones, but we did not see any Hawks near. When we came up to the nest we first realized its dizzy height and the dangerous position it was placed in, for the top of the tree was greatly inclined. After gome discussion I was finally elected to do the climbing and the con- tents of the nest were to be mine for the undertaking (that is if the nest con- tained any eggs ) At first I hesitated but as the morning was fair and there was no wind I thought I might possibly make it, so at length said, "I'll try." The climb was long and tedious but was accomplish nevertheless and nowt There was my reward, two eggs! The nest was a huge structure and very old without a doubt. Outside measurements were 14 inches deep and two feet four inches in diameter. la- THE OOLOGIST 109 side three and one-half inches deep by nine inches in diameter. Composed of very coarse sticks, weeds, etc. On top of which was a quantity of inner bark of trees and a corn husk. The eggs were warm as ;incubation was commenced, although the old birds were not around at the time, but were seen at the nest later on. After lower- ing the line I made my descent as quick as possible and measured the same which proved to be forty-five feet, and the place where it came down eighteen feet from the base or trunk of the tree. So you will understand that the tree was much inclined, having few limbs the climb was very dangerous. The eggs were ordinarily marked and incu- bation commenced but the cause of the birds' absence was not:;^determined. On April 29th as I was prospecting for Owls and Hawks nests in the same piece of timber as the above I discover- ed another nest of this species which happened as follows. I had climbed a giant oak to the height of about fifty feet to where there was an old cavity, when I saw towering up in the distance a huge nest which was in the highest tree around and easily seen above all -the others. After walking in that di- rection I finally saw the female rise off the nest and fly away soon to be seen circling around with her mate over- head. This nest was placed in the very top- most limbs of a "black-oak" or "pin- oak" and elevated to the height of some fifty odd feet. Slow, but sure I made my way up, now and then a dry and decayed limb would snap off under my feet and send a thrill through my body. Although it was a stiir day every little breeze would make the tree sway ter- ribly I thought. At length I came up to the nest, or rather up under the nest, for I could get no further. 1 now had a fine view of the surrounding forest tree tops. Holding on with one hand under the nest and with the other I reached out over and onto the nest and found it contained three eggs. Putting one egg in each of my vest pockets and survey- ing the nest carefully, noticing the mat- erials, etc. I started downward. When my feet once more struck the solid earth beneath I rejoiced. Then care- fully taking the three eggs from as many pockets I laid them on the ground all safe, a beautifully marked set. In color they are a greyish-white minutely speckled all over with light brown and lilac, while over the whole are again large blotches of rich brown and lilac. The marking of the two are confined to the smaller end, while the third is uni- formly marked. Incubation in th!s set was quite far advanced. This being without a doubt the same pair as the first set of eggs was taken from for it was in the immediate vicin- ity of the first nest, and their second attempt at nidification. This nest, however, was newly built and constructed almost entirelv of pop- lar sticks, on top of which was spread a quantity of bark strips, moss, leaves, etc. Having only one hand to work with I could not measure the nest. I am satisfied with the statemant made above, that the nest was newly built, for the ground at the base of the tree was thickly covered with sticks, which dropped from the lofty site at the commencement of the nest. 343 Bkoad-winged Hawk.— From the above described Red-tails nest, I now struck out toward the setting sun, finally I came to a ravine in the woods, crossing this stretch of land covered with brush and second growths, all the large trees having been cut into cord wood a few years previous. I still keep my course westerly. Now and again I would stop and watch the squirrels and emigrating birds. Suddenly I thought of the distance I was from home and that I was getting further away every 110 THE OOLOGIST. minute, the sun having already set. So I turned about and started homeward in a northeastern direction. I now re- crossed the ravine, but at its northern end where it was nari*ow and sparingly covered with brush and second growths. Directly opposite the ravine from where I started to cross it, was a large oak, about a rod back from where the big trees were again growing. As the tree was in my direct course I passed within a few feet from it. When I stopped to look up and " admire its beauty. I indistinctly saw in the main fork a nest of sticks. Immediately I made preparations for ascending, and as I did so a Hawk flew therefrom and into the fast approaching dusk. The nest was not very high so it did not take me long to come up to a level with it. R contained two eggs which were new to me, these were a light blue and covered on the larger end with blotches of rich brown. In size somewhat larger than the eggs of either the Marsh or Cooper's Hawks while decid- edly smaller than those of the Red-tail- ed or Swainson's Hawks. As it was an incomplete set I decided to leave them for several days for completion. Making my way downward and gath- ering my efifects I groped my way through the woods in a homeward di- rection. The sky was clouded over and a storm threatening. After clearing the woods my progress was both rapid and easier and I was soon at home, just in time for supper. After heartily partaking of the same I consulted the authorities, such as were at my com- mand, and placed it as probably the Broad-winged Hawk. Several days later, on May 4th, to be correct, I slipped away from my work for a brief visit to the Hawk's nest. As I found nothing on my way in the Rap- toi'ial line I will not stop to describe the tramping to the "New Nest." Suf- fice to say the day was exceedingly warm for that early date and that I was quite exhausted at my anival at "Hawksville" as I often of late called this particular grove, which seemed quite well supplied with various spec- ies of Hawks. After coming within sight of the nest I saw it was occupied by Madam Hawk . Accordingly I rapped on the tree with a stick, but she refused to leave and only did so after repeated loud rap- pings, whon she slid from the nest and flew across the ravine and with a grace- ful upward curve alighted among the branches on the opposite side. I was now satisfied that the species was as I had before placed it. Broad-winged Hawk. The nest now held four eggs, a beau- tiful set, in fact the prettiest Hawk's eggs I have ever seen. They are white with a bluish tinge, with small brown spots all over them. Three are beauti- fully splashed at the large end, while the fourth is sparingly marked at the smaller end with delicate brown or light chocolate. The egg with the markings on the smaller end was the last laid, as the bluish color is perfect while the others are bleached out in various stages, which is often the case with incubation from fresh to advanced. The nest was constructed of coarse sticks, bark, etc., on top of which was spread a quantity of fine ones and stripes of bark. Diameter on top 20 inches which tapered down to a few inches at the bottom according to the crotch in all 15 inches deep with a de- pression of two inches. Situated in the main fork of an oak tree right next- to the trunk and 31 feet from the ground. After making a small tour about the grove I returned to this nest to find the Hawks there, where with the best op- portunity I fully identified the species to my entire satisfaction. Edw. W. Springer, Owatonna, Minn. THE OOLOGIST _glRD-JORE ^ 111 Partial Contents of June Number: Soag-Birds of Europe and America Compai'ed, Robert Ridgway. How to Conduct Field Classes, Florence Merriam Bailey. The Origin of Dickcissel. Ernest Seton-Thompson. Letters from Governor Roosevelt, and Bishop Whipple; The Milliner's proposed agreement not to use the plumage of North American birds; Notes from Field and Study, Book Raviews, and some remarkable bird photographs. 20 cents a copy. S 1.00 a year. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, 66 Fifth Ave., NEW YORK CITY. gMfi!iiTiiii!niiitiittiiifiii»iiiiiii!iiiiiii»mi!iiiiintii!ifiiiiiiii!ii!i!imiiitTittn»ni!i!tniiinittttt!iiiit>nfiniiii;iiittiiiimiiiiiniq [The Lamp of Steady Habit5| The lamp that doesn't flare up or smoke, or cause you to use bad language ; the lamp that looks good when you get it and stays good ; the lamp that you never willingly part with, once you have it ; that's Cbe new Rochester. Other lamps may be offered you as " just as good " — they may be, in some respects, but for all around goodness, there's only one. To make sure the lamp offered you is genuine, look for the name on it : every New Rochester lamp has it. We make oil stoves too, just as good as the lamps ; in fact, anything m oil or gas fixtures. The Rochester Lamp Co., mm^^^ 3 38 Park Place and 33 Barclay St., New York. ^'^'^^ter. | iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiimiiiiiiuiiuauuiiiimiuuiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiimuuniniihiiliniiilitiiililliliiiij ^ New I -., E K-563 /2S4 SkUUllUUiii What Did I Do? I sent H. VV. KERR, Publisher of the NATURALIST, (Farm) and FANCIERS REVIEW $100 for FIVE YEARS sub- scription and FIVE 25 word Exchange Notices and I recommend it to YOU. Its Natural History Departaient edited by Isador S. Trostier of Omaha, Neb. is in need of your Attention, not to say but what the the Belgian Hare, Poultry, Pigeon acd Pet Stock Departments are all leaders. July 1st this offer expires and subscription advanced to .We per year. Sample copy free. Ad. Rates based on actual issue. Address, H. W. KERR, Pubr., Blencoe, Iowa. T HIS PAPER is printed at the Book and Magazine Publishing House of A. M. EDDY, Albion, N. Y. BOOKS I have thousands of volumes relating to Natural History. In case I've offered anything during the past year which you can use please favor me with list of wants and allow me to quote "SPEC- IAL" prices. All miist be sold. Your attention is particularly called to my Book Lists in the June-July and October (pages 142-143) 1899 Oologists. If I've anything left which you want or can use I would be pleased to be in- formed of the fact and will endeavor to see that the matter of ^'price" will not be a barrier in making a transfer. Frank H. Lattin, Publisher of OoLOGiST, Albion, N. Y. 112 THE OOLOGIST $ 1 40 16 00 2 35 2 35 3 20 2 25 I 90 4 25 1 10 4 25 1 70 2 10 4 75 3 90 1 40 3 20 5 20 2 90 BARG/VINS IN BOOKS FOR THE NATURALIST. I have them by the thousacd and offer below maDy very rare and desirable titles at prices way below actual value. Of most I have only single sets or copies. All are new or good as new unless otherwi.se stated. Prices are by mail, express or freight at purchaser's expense— will ship cheapest way. Money returned at my (xpense if books wanted are sold. Prices good un- til Sep. 15, 1900 oiily. After that date, write first. Special discountit on large oi-ders. Remit in most convenient way. Address plainly and in full FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, ORLEANSCO.,N.Y. Allen, A Monographof the Bats of North America, 198p, 38pl Bendire, Life Histories of North Ameri- can Birds. Rare and almost unobtain- able. Only a few vols, on the market at any price. Vol. I, $9; vol. II, .7 50, or both vols... Brown, Atlas of Fossil Conchology with descriptions and illustrations. 98 full page tinted steel plates containing 3500 figures. Royal 4to. London, 1889. ($20.00) new - Chapman, Frank M., A Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North America -Cope, The Batrachia of North America, 520p. 86pl, 119fig •Cope, Vertebrata of Tertiary Formations, 4to, 1043p, 134pl - Coues, Field and General Ornithology— A Manual of the Structure and Classifi- cation of Birds with Instructions for Collecting and Preserving Specimens, 344p, 112fig Dana, Manual of Geology, 1st ed., 800p; over lOOOfigs ($5), 1.45; 2d ed., Davie, Methods in the Art of Taxidermy. ($10), now out of print and publishers supply exhausted, will soon be very rare >Donaldson, The George Catlin Indian Gal- lery with Memoir and Statistics, 940p, 144pl and maps (3.50) •Goss, Col. N. S.. History of the Birds of Kansas (7.50), new and lasted Headley, Structure and Life of Birds, 412p, 78fig, 1895 Ingersoll, E., Birds' Nesting (1.25) Jardine's (Sir William) Naturalists Library. Post 8vo. Each volume con- tains m) to ,%0p and about 30 plates engraved on steel and colored from nature, also many wood cuts, original set cost $50. Have just received a broken set in poor condition, loose in ■covers &c. Text and plates, however, in clean and fair condition. Edin- Ijurgh, 183.5-1840. I have: Ichthyology (Fish), 4 vol.s., lot only The Hummingbirds, 2 vols., lot _ Jones, Casseirs Book of Birds, four vols., 1350p, 400 large ills., 40 col. pi., 89 col. 1 20 1 90 7 20 Jordan and Gilbert, synopsis of the Fishes of North America, 1018p 3 30 King-sley, Popular Natural History, A Des- cription of Animal Life from theLow est Forms Up to Man, 2 vols, 728p, 507 ills,, many pi., Boston '90 7 25 Lesquereaux. Cretaceous and Tertiiary Floras, 4to, 29.5pp, 60pl _ Maynard, The Biitteitlies of New Eng- land. 4 to,76p, 10 hand col. pi. showing 2.i0 life size specimens, rare, valuable, outof print Morris, Nest and Eggs of British Birds, 2vol., 154 colored plates, 18.59 Mcll wrath, Thomas. Birds of Ontario ($2) Nature, Vol. XXXI to XXXIV, unbound, cost $12 - Ornithological and Natural History Pub- cations, can furnish back No's of al- most anything published in America during the past 25 years. Write wants Pennsylvania State 2d Geological Sur- vey, 38 vols, cloth, many plates, maps, figs., &c., thousands of nages, $35 Ridgway, Ornithology of Illinois, vol. I, 520p, 33pl., 1889 Scudder, Nomenclator Zoologicus (An Alphabetical list of all Generic names employed by Naturalists for Recent and Fossil Animals from earliest times to 1880), 716p _ Scudder, Tertiary Insects of North Amer ica. 4tO, 734p, 28pl - Shufeldt, M. D., R. W., Scientific Taxid- ermy for Museums, 71 full page plates 67 pages, text - Smithsonian Reports, 43 vols, from 1853 to 1895, inclusive Stegneger, Poisonous Snakes of North America, 144p, 19pl, 70flg Studer's Birds of North America. 200p, 119 col. pi., imp. 4to; full Morrocco, ($45) - Vennor, Our Birds of Prey, or the Eagles, Hawks and Owls of Canada, 30 .large photograph plates, ($12 00) Whitlock, The Migration of Birds, 140p '97 90 Wilson, Study of Prehistoric Anthropol- ogy, Hand Book for Beginners, 76p, SOpl, 287flg 95 Wilson, Prehistoric Art. valuable to stud- ents. 340p, 74pl., 325flg 1 40 Wood, Animate Creation. Revised and adopted to American Zoology by Hold- er, 60 parts, complete, 30 page ole- ographs, 60 plates and profusely illus- trated, ($15) 2 10 1 90 1 35 20 00 1 35 13 80 4 40 Ridgway, Hummingbirds, 132p, 46pl, 47fig FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. 6 00 1 90 Lattin's Standard Catalogue ol North American Birds Eggs. Enlarged (contains 72 pages) revised, corrected and brought up to date of going to press- March, UJiP. Gving all of the new A. O. U. changes and additions. AUo divided and subdivided into orders subordrs, families and sub-families. Single copy 10 cents : 3 for 25 cents. The Oologist A MONTHLY PUBLICATION DEVOTED TO OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. VOL XVII. NO. 8 ALBION, N. Y., SEPT.-OCT., 1900. Whole No. 169 Wants, Exchanges, and For Sales. Brief special announcements, "Wants,' "Exclianges" "For Sales," Inserted In this departmett tor 25c per 2f) words. Notices over 25 words, charged at the rate of one-liaif cent per each additional word. No notice Inserted for less than 25c. Terms, cash with order. Strictly First-class specimens will be accepted in pajnnent at one-third list rates. What's Your Number? Examine the number following your name on the wrapper of this month's Oologist. It denotes when your subscription expired or will expire. No. 169 your subscription expires with this issue 171 " " '• " Dec. " 175 " " '■ " Apr., 1901 180 " " " Sept., " 184 •' '■ " Dec, " Intermediate numbers can easily be deter- mined. If we have you credited wrong we wisd to rectify. HEAR ye: Hear Ye: Hear Ye: This is to certify that my advertisements in the Oolo- gist have paid me better than have the com- bined ads. in most of the amateur and natural science papers. Ads. in the Oologist always bring returns, and it is safe to say that there is no paper having three times the circulation of this widespread periodical which can give equal satisfaction. MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich TO EXCHANGE.- Eggs of this state for eggs of western or southern states. Please send list and receive mine. ED. T. SCHENCK, No. 20 Highland Terrace, Gloversville, N. Y. FOR SALE or exchange.— A fine copy of Ridgeway's Manual for best offer in cash or first-class sets. A. E. PRICE, Grant Park, 111. WANTED.— First-class sets with data. Will pay cash if cheap, or exchange revolver, shot guns and a pair of pearl opera glasses. Send me your complete lists. JAS. O. JOHNSON, Southington, Conn. EXCHANGE.— W^arren's Birds of Pennsyl- vania, 100 colored plates, for sets with data, ornithological and oological books of cash. Sets preferred. Make me an offer. E. R. FORREST, Washington, Pa. WANTED.— Second-hand "Coues' Key" or "Ridgeway's Manual," also other books relat- ing to natural history. State condition of books and lowest cash price. ALFRED O. GRASS, Atwood, 111. PLATE HOLDER— Double, bViXbM, Blair Camera Co., ($1.00), prepaid 44c. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion N. Y. WANTED— Sets of eggs containing abnor- mal specimens, such as runts, unusually large, abnormally marked or unmarked, curious shaped, etc. Will give good exchange in fine sets or will pay cash. Headquarters for Ken- tucky, Golden-winged and Worm-eating Warb- lers' sets with nests. Whip-poor-will and Ruby- throated Hummingbird. J. WARREN JACOBS, Waynesburg, Pa. C WANTED.— Singles of Golden Eagle. Sand- hill Crane, Little Brown Crane, Duck Hawk. Penguin, Rhea, Swallow-tailed Kite, Pileated Woodpecker, Parauciue. Merlin and many other large singles and sets for choice South- ern eggs with full data, such as Royal Tern. Am. Oystercatcher, Willet, Wilson's Plover, Laughing Gull, etc. DR. M. T. CLECKLEY, 457 Greene St., Augusta, Ga. 170 WANTED.— Correspondents in every county of New York, who can furnish complete anno- nated lists of the birds occuring in their local- ity. Also to correspond with all bird students in the east havinjj photographs of birds, birds' nests and eggs. DR. MARCUS S. FARR, New York State Museum Albany, N. Y. "I can say a good word for your paper. I never have to put the same ad. in twice to get rid of anything I have to exchange." RAY DENSMORE, Perry, O. FOR EXCHANGE.- 1, 8, 133 2-4, 263 1-4, S73 1-3, 482 n-3, 465 2-4. 540 14. 546 1-4. 5f3 1-3, 595 1-4, 598 n-3, 624 1-3, 675 1-5, 7C4 1-4, 455. to exchange for anything not in my collection. RAY DENS- MORE, Perry, Lake Co., Ohio. I will exchange full sets of 65, 72, SO, 191, 194, 211, 258, 269, S80, 337, 466, 474b, 616, 619, 633, etc., for sets not in my collection, or for late editions of Historical, Educational or Fictitious works or any good books by standard authors. Send lists of what you can offer. All letters answer- ed. H. S. WARREN, 149 Gladstone Ave., De- troit, Mich. CHOICE southern sets of Royal Tern, Brown Pelican, Willet, Wilson's Plover, Laughing Gull, Clapper Rail, Black Skinner for sale very cheap or exchange sets or singles. DR. M. T. C LECKLEY, 4,^7 Greene St., Augusta, Ga. 3t CODDINGTON MAGNIFIER(Miners' glass), diameter ?sin, cost $1.50. prepaid 95cts.FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. 7.Sri>'^7 114 THE OOLOGIST MAKE MONEY.— By securing a county acency for our New Edition of the Reversible IL S. and World Map. This map is 66x46 in. in size, being the largest one-sheet map pub- lished: mounted on sticks ready to^hang; elev- en beautiful colors. One side shows a grand map of our great country and inset maps of its new possessions. The other side shows an equally good map of the world. On receipt of 11. 2.5 we will send a sample copy by prepaid express, and will inform you how to obtain a trial agency. Our men clear from $15.00 to $35.00 weekly after a month's work. Maps can be returned if not satisfactory. Yours truly, RAND, McNALLY & COMPANY, 160-174 Adams St., Chicago, Ills. 172 FOR SALE:— Clutches of European species. White Gryfalcon, Gryfalcon, Merlin, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Golden Eagle, Gray Sea Eagle, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, Honey Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon. Hobby Egyptian Vulture. Apply. GORTON, 2 UpperGlouces - ter St. , Pendleton, England. 171 WANTED.— Will trade books of all kinds for good matched pairs of ivory Elks teeth or sin- gle teeth; also collections of U. S. stamps bought for cash. Address, HALL N. JACK- SON, 36 W. 6th St., Cincinnati, O. 170 COLLECTORS —Send for my latest bargain list of flrst-class sets and singles. No exchang- es, L. ZELLNER, 1835 Oak street, Los Angeles, Cal "I don't know whether my ad. has reached its time limit yet or not, but stop it any way. My supply of exchange material was exhaust- ed some time ago and replies to the ad. still come In. F. P. DROWNE, 20 Benefit St.. Prov- idence, R. I. FOR SALE.— Fancy Belgian Hares, by do- mestic and imported bucks. Several litters from champion bucks. Will exchange for flrst- class, fresh skins to mount. R H. BECK, Berryessa, Santa Clara Co., Cal. FOR EXCHANGE BY TAYLOR'S CATA- LOGUli;:— 6 1-5, 12 1-1, 13 5-1,16 3-1,27 5-1,5 2, 30 5-1, 30a 5-1, 40 1-1 1-2 1-3 at $1.00; 49 1-3, 51a 2-2 2-3,58 1-3,69 2-3,70 5-3,72 5-3,74 1-3,77 1-3, 92 1-1, 106 5-1, 118 1-1, 115 1-1. 118 1-2, 120a 1-2, 132 1-2, 137 1-3, 130 1-7 1-8. 132 1-7, 140 1-12, 159a 1-3 1-4 at $1 00; 801 4-4, 204 1-3 1-4, 208 1-6, 211 1-8, 212 1-6, 214 1-14 1-17, 219 1-7, 221 1-5, 224 1-3, 225 2-4, 226 1-4, 242 1-2, 246 1-3, 263 5-4, 274 1-2 1-3, 289 1-16, 300 1-5 1-10, 305 1-15, 297a 1-8, 316 2-2, 319 1-2,320 2-2, 387 2-2, 388 1-2, 390 1-2 1-7, 394 1-3, 402a 1-5, 406 1-5, 440 1-5, 412 1-7, 413 1-5 1-7, 417 2-2, 420 1-2 423 13 1-4 1-5, 429 n-3, 456 n-4, 465 2-3, 466 1-3, 467 1-4, 471 h-3, 476 1-5, 477 2-4 2-5, 478a 1-4, 488 2-5 2-6, 492 1-3. 497 1-4, 498 2 4, 501 1 4. 501c 1-5, 506 2-4 1-5, 507 1-4 1-5, 508 1-6, 511 1-5, 511a 1-6, 512 1-3 1-4, 513 1-3 1-4 1-5, 519 1-6 1-6, 5281-3 1-4 at $1.00; 529 1-4, .538 1-3, 540 1-4, 542a 1-3 1-4, 546 n-4 550 2n-5, 550 2n-4, 552 1-4 1-5, 554 1-3 1-4, 558 n-4, 5.59 1-3, 560 1-4. 563 1-3 1-4, 573 1-4 plus 495a 578 n-4, 581 3-5, .581c 1-3, 585 n-2, 591c 1-3, 594 n-4, 593c 1-4, .595 2-4, 596 1-3, 598 1-4, .599 1-4, 601 1-4. 604 1-4, 611 1-4, 613 4-4, 619 1-4, 622a 1-7, 622c 1-4. 620 1-2, 633 1-4, 1-4 plus 1-3 of 495a, 630 n-3, 624 1-3 1-4, 627 1-4, 652 1-4 n-4, 674 n-5, 683 1-4 1-5, 684 n-4, 687 n-4, 607 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5, 702 1-5, 703 1-5. 704 1-3, 705 1-3, 708 1-3, 707 1-4, 713 1-4, 715 n-3, 719c 1-6 1-7, 721 1-10, 721a 1-4, 725 2-5, 727 n-4 n-5, 735 1-5 2-7, 743a 1-5 n-6, 746 n-3 n-4, 7.55 1-4, 756 1-3 n-4, 758 2-4, 761 1-3 1-4. All are North American. J. D. SORNBORGER, 101 Hammond St., Cambridge, Mass. FOR EXCHANGE:— Edison Home Phono- garph, full equipment and 3 dozen records all nearly new, also one 4x5 new "Korona" cam- era. Wanted Long-focus Camera (4x5 or 5x7) WANTED in anv numb^-r sets of 6. 7. 58, 60 68. 64, 65. 69 72. 75, 76. 79, 118, 125, 136, 131. 137, 1S9, 140 147. 149. 1.50, 153, 172, 190, 197, 204, 205, 206 214, 118, 224. 235. 228. 230, and Waders, 2.55, 261 263, 273. 277, 389, 294 309, 310, 328, 326. 329, 333, 334 337, 339, 343, .^52, 355, 356, 364, 375. .372, 387, .388, 390 .393. 394, 412, 416, 417, 428, 498, .501, .5.54, .5.58, 601, 611 614, 619, 624, 761, any Warblers Offer tirst-class exchange or cash. Wanted for cash 166, 131 239. 238, 231, 255, .327 and other good sets. Nat uralists" Books, Hornaday's Taxidermy Ben dire's Life Histories and others. 16 or 12 guage double-barreled shot gun, camera 4x5— Premo B preferred— and outfit. Can offer 300 .species of eggs, skins or mounted birds. Send list and make offer. D. WILBY, 87 Front St. West, Toronto, Ont. 170 BELGIAN HARES.— Fine young pedigreed Belgians, $6.00 per pair. Does bred to bucks, $8.00; per pair, $12.00. A trio of one buck and two does, $1.5.00. Correspondence answered. Rabbits carefully shipped. WARREN EB- KRLE, Escondido, Cal. 171 TAXIDERMIST'S OUTFIT:— Contains one heavy Cartilage Knife ; 1 nickeled and engrav- ed Scalpel with tip shaped for detaching skin, muscles, &c ; 1 pair Scissors; 1 pair Forceps; 1 Dissecting Hook; 1 Brain Spoon; 1 pocket Wire Cutter. Instruments best, all packed in polished Hard-wood Case. A better outfit than the one always sold at $3. I have only four outfits and will close them out at only $3.20 prepaid. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. SNAPS in Manitoba Collected Eggs. The following first class sets with data collected and for sale by CHRIS. P. FORGE, Taxidermist and Collector, Carman, Manitoba. Prices per set prepaid. Grebe^, Horned, 3-7 35c, 1-6 30c; Eared, 1 8 16c; Pied-billed, 1-8 8c; Loon 1-S$1.00; Terns, Black. 1-3 6c; 2-2 4c; Mallard 1-9 dovm 36c; Pintail 1-8 down $1.00; Cranes, Whooping, 1-2 $3.00; Rails, Sora, 19 9c, 1-11 lie, 1-12 12c; Coot, 1-10 10c, .3-11 lie, 1-14 14c:. Sand pipers, Least, 1-4 $4.00, 1 single 50c; Bartramian 9-4 40c, 1-3 3Uc: Killdeer 3-4 20c; Grouse, Gray-rufled 3 singles 20c each; Pinnated 1-10 50, 1-9 45, 2-12 60; Sharptail, 16 $1.50 Dove, Mourning: 4-2 2c; Hawks, Marsh, 4-5 2.5c 4-4 20c; Redtalls 6-3 45c, 6-2 30c; Krlder's 8-2 70c; Swalnson's 3-4 $1.00, 5-3 75c, 2-2 50c; Owls, Long-eared, 1-7 3.5c, 2-6 30c, 3-5 25c, 4-4 20c; Short-eared, 1-7 $1.75. 1-4 $1.00; W. Horned, 1-2 $1.00; Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1-4. 4c; Flicker 1-9 4Xc, 1-8 4c, 1-7 3>ic, 1-5 2/sc; Least Flycatcher 3-4 8c, 1-3 6c, 1-2 4C; Pallid Horned Lark 1-4 80c; Blue Jay 2 4 4c; Crow 2-5 5c: 6-4 4c; Blackbird, Yellow-headed, 3-4 2c; Red-winged, 2-4 2c, 1-5 2150: Rusty 13 75c; W. Meadowlark 2-5 .5c; Baltimore Oriole 1-3 3c; Bronze Crackle, 1-7 iViC, 2-5 2Hc, 2-4 2c; W. Ves- per Spari-ow, 1-4 5c: Clay-colored, £0-4 with nests 2.5c ; Purple Martin, 1-4 8c: Cedar Wax- wing 1-3 6; White-rumped Shrike 2-5 .5c, 1-6 6c; Blue-headed Vireo 1-4 $1.00: Catbird, 2-5 214c, 3-4 2c ; Brown Thrasher. 2-4 2c ; Yellow Warbler, 2-5 5c, 3-4 4c, 2 3 3c; Wren,; Bewick's, 1-7 30c, 8-8 25c; House 3-6 6c: Long billed Marsh 1-6 6c; Robin 1-4 4c. WILL SELL FOR CASH or exchange for sets of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds : n-2 n-2 Costa's Hummingbird, n-2 n-1 Allen's Hum- mingbird. n-2 Calliope Hummingbird, n-2 Broad-tailed Hummingbird, n-2 Black-chinned Hummingbird, n-8 Rufous Hummingbird. GEO. H. SWEZEY, 70 Jackson St., Newark, N. J. TO EXCHANGE for Al sets A. O. U. num- bers. sets and singles;— 6, 59, 120, 2(r2, 314, 221, 305, 333, 366, 561, three vols I, II, III, Auk, per- fect, ten boxes Chinese shells. Enclose seamp for reply. J. W. PRESTON, Baxter, Iowa. THE OOLOGIST. 115 AGENTS WANTED. German Electric Razor Hone, guaranteed to equal the best hone made. Can use water, oil or lather. Will last a lifetime. Each Hone packed in a neat card- board case. Every one perfect. Just the thing for private use. Price 75c. We want an agent in each township to whom exclusive sale will be given. Write for sample and agent's outfit. Sent by mall. A money coin- er. Address MARSH MFG. CO., No. 542 West Lake St., Chicago. SNAPS in MOUNTED BIRDS AND SKINS. 3 Snowy Owls $3.00 each, Great Horned Owl $2.50, Barred Owl 11.50, Sawwhet $1.00, Short- eared with mouse in claws 81.00, Hawk, Swain- son's male $1.50 Broad-wing Jl.OO, Marsh "red breast" Jl.OO, Bittern $1 00, Eared Grebe 81.00, Marbled Godwit $1.25, Cream-colored var. beauty $5.00, Golden Plover spring black- breast 75c, Pectoral Sandpiper 50c, Silvery Sandpiper 50c, 2 Killdeer 50c, W. Meadowlark 50c, Blue Jay 50c, Pine Grosbeak male 50c, Evening Grosbeak .50c, male Least Flycatcher 50c, pair N. Hairy Woodpeckers on stand $1.25, pair Pine Grosbeaks on stand $1.25. Skins, White Pelican $2.50, Rough-legged Hawk $1JX), Shoveler Drake 50c, Marbled Godwit 50c, W. Meadowlark 20c, Killdeer 20c, Wolf skin dress- ed $1..50, Newfoundland Dog $2.00. CHRIS. P. FORGG, Carman. Man. 60 var. old Colonial Coins 35c, Indian Toma- hawk 35c, 50 old coins 12c, 3 old Liberty cents 18c, 1798 1 cent 10c, Hoy cent 12c, my premium list 5 Curiosities, 8 Rare Stamps, 1 Relic, 1 old coin all for 12c. W. P. ARNOLD, Peacedale, R. I. FANCY PIGEONS, ETC:— One pair of Red- wing Turbits $1.50, one pair Black Bald-head Tumblers, Atwood's stock, price $4 .50, one fine Pointer Dog, $20.00 will take him, one Zulu Breech-loading shot gun, 12 gauge, second hand, price $3.40. JAS. O. JOHNSON, South- ington. Conn. TO EXCHANGE:— The following finely pre- pared sets of eggs, Nos. 452 1-5, 7.59b nl-5, 595 1-4, 706 1-4, 622b 1-6, 598 1-4, 659 1-4, also finely mounted birds for eggs in sets or singles, stamps, mounted birds or ornithological liter- ature. WM. F. EASTMAN, Rockland Military Academy, Nyack-on-the-Hudson, N. Y. FOR SALE:— Fine first-class sets with data. Green Heron 2-4 -iSc; Black-crowned Heron 1-3 24c, 1-4 34c; American Crow 2-6 23c; Red-eyed Vireo 1-3 20c, 1-4 30c; Snapping Turtle 1-23 69c, 1-28 89c, 1-29 90c, 141 $1.20. Prices are per set prepaid. JAS. O. JOHNSON, Southington, Ct. in like condition or rare eggs in sets. THOM- AS H. JACKSON, 343 E. Biddle St., West. FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE:— Varied Thrush, Slender-billed Nuthatch, Curve billed Thrasher, Violet-green Swallow, Louisiana Tanager, Painted Bunting, Shufeld's Junco, Jackdaw, Stellar's Jay, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Road- runner. Screech Owl, California Partridge, Green Heron. Yellow-billed Tropic Bird and Franklins Gull. G. H. SWEZEY.I 70 Jackson St., Newark, N. J. EGGS POR EXCHANGE:— I have about fifty choice sets to exchange for any eggs not In my collection. Send list and receive mine. J. S. Appleton, Simi, Ventura co., Cal. CABINETS FOR EGGS, Insects or Shells, either single drawersjor cases or complete, also W. I Shells to exchange. Prices, etc., from T. G. PRIDDEY, 371 Carlton St., Toronto. TO EXCHANGE FOR EGG3 IN SETS.— One Navahoe Indian, white wool, hand woven rug, 4x5 ft., a very handsome thing. One pair ZVi lb. Indian Clubs and 6 dozen 4x5 negatives, in- cluding the National Ya'ht Races, Battle Ships, Cruisers and Torpedo Boats, Railroad Wrecks and Birds from Nature. Write for whatever you want, giving list of eggs offered. No postal cards. J. B. NEWTON, Unionville, Ct. FOR SALE;— Breech-loading shot guns from $6.50 to $50.00, Winchester rifles, Colts, Marlin Stevens, etc., canvas hunting coats from $2 75 to $5.00, pants $1 75, one old flint lock musket, can be shot, price $4.75, one Smith and Wesson 22 cal. revolver, price $3.90. Write me your wants. JAS. O. JOHNSON, Southington, Ct. "You might as well be out of the Bird World al- together as go without THE OSPREY." "THR OSPRRY, An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Popular Ornithology. Edited by Theodore Gill, in Co-op- eration with Robert Ridgway, L. Stejnegrer, C- W. Richmond and Other EminentOrnithoIogists. The Ospeey does not keep a poet, but it has an office cat who can catch more birds than all the poets put to- gether. If you don't believe this, read The Osprey. If you want to buy, sell or exchange specimens, advertise in The Osprey. If you want to keep in with other Bird Men, subscribe for The Osprey. If you want to write about Birds, you can do it in The Osprey, provided you know how to write. If you like a beautifully printed and pro- fusely illustrated magazine, all about Birds you must have The Osprey. Terms— One Dollar a Year. Published by THE OSnCEV COMPANY, 321-323 41/2 St., Washington, D. C. BOOKS I have thousands of volumes relating to Natural History. In case I've offered anything during the past year which you can use please favor me with list of wants and allow me to quote "SPEC- IAL" prices. All inust be sold. Your attention is particularly called to my Book Lists in the June-July and October (pages 142 143) 1899 OiiLOGisTS. If I've anything left which you want or can use I woiild be pleased to be in- formed of the fact and will endeavor to see that the matter of '^price" will not be a barrier in making a transfer. Frank H. Lattin> Publisher of Oologist, Albion, N. Y. 116 THE OOLOGIST Have you tried my process of Rapid Taxidermy? If not you will be gratified by a big surprise. There is money to be made by the preservation of specimens for the market or the school, par- lor, ofHce and den. Any boy, girl or sportsman may learn this method at the first attempt.and decorate the trophies and bird.s of the neigh- borhood. The cost is next to nothing, and when several go in and work together, there is no cost. You may make money in any town or the country. On receipt of $i.oo cash or stamps I will send the complete printed instructions to mount Birds, Mammals, Heads, etc., and one pound of the Preservative, ready prepared for the work ; together with complete directions for dressing skins with the hair on. for rugs, robes and hangings, and in addition I will make the extra inducement of offering the for- mula for making the Preservative Compound, with the privilege of selling the same. The process will be exchanged for $3.00 worth of stamps, or for other exchange. What have you to offer? Address MORRIS GIBBS, M. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. The Student's Shell Collection. This Collection contains Forty Small Shells collected from all iinarters of the Globe, all of which are numbered to correspond with a cat- alogue, which gives their proper, common and scientific names, with the locality where found. These shells when purchased individually and properly labelled would cost from 2 to 2.5 cents each. The following are the specimens found in this collection: Scorched Murex. Thorny-nosed Murex, Fish Basket. Gem Shell. Inflated Olive, Lettered Olive, Rice, Dove. Thunder Storm, Pelican's Foot. Ringed Cowry, Snake-head Cowry, Money Cowi-y. Rye, Porcelain Rump, Boat, Worm, Brown Snail, Yellow Pea, Beaded Tower, Tow- er, Bloody Tooth. White Tooth, Zebra, Wheel. Venetian Snail. Key-hole Limpet, 'Many-lined Bulimulus. Hunch backed Partula, Black- mouthed Tree Snail. Banded Tree Snail, Little Agate, Silk Worm, Pea Nut, Banded Melam- pus. Indian Wampum, Angel Wing, Sun, Scal- lop and Jingle- Price $1.00. If sent prepaid 6 cents must be added to pay postage on same— otherwise it will go by ex- press at purchaser's expenses. Special:— Until Jan. 1, 1901 will send one of the above collections prepaid for only 31 cts. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. JAMES P. BABBITT, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Taxidermists' Supplies, Bird Skins, Eggs & Publications. Fine Imported Glass Eyes a Specialty. Illustrated Catalogue and large monthly bulle- tin of bargains in Birds Skins and Eggs free upon application. TAUNTON, MASS. THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Has published three-fourths of the most inter- esting descriptions of the nests and eggs or rare species of the West, which have been printed during the past six years, Including the Hermit Warbler, Western Evening Groa- ' beak. White throated Swift, California Vulture, etc., etc. It is now publishing "THE CONDOR" Formerly the BULLETIN of the COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. A crisp and breezy 16 to 24 page bi-monthly bird journal, illustrated as required. The arti- cles are all from field workers and have a ring which enthuses the live ornithologist. The only Bird Magazine devoted solely to the Or- nithology of the Great West. Always out on time! You want it! Subscription U a year. Sample copy, 20c. For sample, address C. BARLOW, Editor-in- chief, Santa Clara, Cal. Subscriptions to DON- ALD A. COHEN, Business Manager, Alameda, Cal. Subscription may commence with No. 1 (Jan- uary, 1899.). Fine Assortment of INDIAN BUCKSKIN and Beaded Goods. Moccasins, large , . $ 75 to $ 4 00 reedium.... 50 to 3 00 small 25 to 2 00 Pappoose sacks 12 00 to 25 00 Money bags 25 to 1 00 Long blanket belts 3 00 to 6 00 Small vests 4 00 to 10 00 Chaparajos 7 00 to 15 00 Coats 8 00 to 20 00 Knife scabbards 75 to 150 Pipes 1 25 to 5 00 Pipe and Ig. tobacco bag 4 50 to 10 00 War clubs 75 to 2 50 War bonnets 4 50 to 10 00 Head ornaments 75 to 2 00 Dressed dolls 75 to 5 00 Deer skins with Indian painted tigures, accord- ing to size 5 00 to 20 00 Best made goods and satisfaction guaranteed. Express prepaid on orders amounting to $5.00. CHAS. F. HEDGES, Miles City, Mont. The OoLOGiST. VOL. XVII. NO. 8. ALBION. N. Y., SEPT. -OCT.. 1900. Whole No. 169 The Oologist. A MontMy Publication Devoted to OOLOGY, ORNITHOLOGY AND TAXIDERMY. FRANK H. LATTIN, Editor and Publisher, ALBION, N. V. Correspondence and items of interest to the student or Birds, tneir Nests and Eggs, solicited from all. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: Single subscription 50c per annum Sample copies .sceacli The above rates include payment of postage. Each subscriber is given a card good for a Want, Exchange or For Sale Notice. (This card Is redeemable at any time within one year from date thereon.) Subscriptions can begin with any number. Back numbers of the Oologist can be furnished at reasonable rates. Send stamp for descrip- tions and prices. •^"Remember that the publisher must be notl fled by letter when a subscriber wishes his paper stopped, and all arrearages must be paid. ADVERTISING RATES : 5 cents per nonpareil line each Insertion. 12 lines In every Inch. Seven Inches In a col- timn, and two columns to the page. Nothing Inserted for less than 25 cents. No "special rates," 5 cents per line is 'net," 'Tock bottom," "Inside," 'spot cash" rate from which there Is no deviation and no commission to agents. If you wish to use 5 lines or less space It will cost you 25 cents; lOO lines, $5.00; lOOO lines, 150.00. "Trade" (other than cash) advertise- ments will be accepted by special arrangement only and at rates from double to Ave times cash rates. Due Bills and Cards payable In advertis- ing will be honored only at regular rates in force at the date of issuance of said bUl or card. Remittances should be made by Draft, Express or Postoffice Money Order, Registered Letter or Postal Note. Unused U. S . Postage Stamps of any denomination wiU be accepted lor sums un- der one dallar. Make Money Orders and Drafts payable and address all subscriptions and com- munications to FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y. •T »c rarr orvta jct ttMnm, ■.«„<• icoaaio-aLAM BArrea. A Day on De Cicheo Island. BY' B. S. BOWDISH. What collector, whose observation has been more less confined to birds rather solitary in their nidification, has not felt his nerves tingle with re.spon- sive sympathy, as he read the account of the visit of some fellow collector to the island home of the gregarious sea birds, and has not longed for the time to come when he too might realize this novel experience. This then was my experience when with my Company I came to Aguad- illa to relieve H Co. Standing on the west shore of Porto Rico, in front of this little town one allows his gaze to wander across the expanse of rippling waves where twenty miles away in the usually lazy atmosphere indistinctly rise the rugged outlines of a rocky islet. This is DeCicheo Enquiries regarding this island re- vealed that it was uninhabited by man, save by transient fishing parties, and that it was the home of myriad water fowl. Eagerly peering through a rath- er unreliable telescope, the property of one of the Co. members, went far to confirm the latter part of this informa- tion, revealing a maze of birds winding and circling in the haz? with which the island was enveloped. Thug it may be easily imagined that from an indefinite wish there came to be gradually matur- ing plans in my mind for an invasion of this ornithological paradise. From the beginning it seemed that in devel- oping these plans I constantly encoun- tered obstacles, but passing over these after much persistent effort, on the ev- ening of June 23d, at 10:30 I found my- self seated in the stern cf a staunch little twenty-foot one-master, and tiller in hand I guided the small craft away into the uncertain gloom that the twin- kling stars did little to relieve, the two 118 THE OOLOGIST. boatmen bending to their oars for the breeze did not even stir the idly Hap- ping sail. It was probably some hours later when a faint breeze stiflening the sail, one of the natives relieving me at the tiller, I stretched myself in the bag- gage in the boat's bottom and from throughts of the morrow's prospects, my mind glided away into that shadow land where it is no surprise to take eggs t f the Great Auk from Robins' ness Oi.ce during the night I heard the cry of ihe islands tirst herald, presuma- bly a LaughiEg Gull, but little roused from slumbers was I until the grey of night's last hours was resolving itself into the light of dawn. Clear cut and rugged, the object of the trip met my gtze. but still some distance away, and now indeed its inhabitants were send- ing out messages in plenty. Occasion- ally, on easy, graceful wing the Frigate Bird, (Fregatta aquilla) soared aloft while, silver white, a Gull or Tern dashed lightly above the waves, too far away to be recognized, but the most freqent form, and one which at a dis- tance suggested a rather heavy, clumsy duck, was the Common Bjoby {Sula sula) These birds often Hew low over the boat, craning their necks and star- ing down at us as though questioning the cause of our invasion. Passing to the north of the island we continued to the west coast where, in a little cove we dropped anchor. At the back of this cove a slight hollow under the rocks formed the camping place of a party of three native tishermen from Mayaguey, and here too we established our base of operations. On ledges of rock directly above this camp site, and all along the coast the Noddy Terns, ( anons stolidons ) were breeding in numbers. The island may possible be two miles across in its widest place. In places the rocky walls rise direct from the water, in others fringed by a narrow beach, and they rise to a height of ten to fifty or sixty feet, from their sum- mits the slopes stretching up to fairly lofty pinnacles and densely grown with an impenetrable jungle of bush and vine, while fringing this and liberally sprinkling the rocks are many cactus, of whose presence the over-eager col- lector becomes painfully aware. I regretted greatly not having a cam- era that I might have depicted some of the scenes of bird-life. Nearly all of the birds are remarkably fearless, as the denizens of these islands are usually described, it would be hard to find more willing sitters than many of these birds would have proved. Unquestionably the most abundant bird of the island was the Common Booby. Unfortunately I was late (or in the wrong time) for eggs of this spe- cies. In one case I saw a young not over half grown Booby, and from this there was every stage of size and plum- age up to young strong on the wing One of my natives volunteed the in- formation that these birds breed on the beach, laying on the open sand, and that the eggs are bluish in color. Of the birds of this part of the world it is hard to say what is a late date for nest- ing since there seems more or less con- tinuity and irregularity. For instance I have found eggs of Cuthia bicolor al- most every month in the year. I found, too, that I was late or out of season for the Frigate birds, one of the specimens I brought back being an ap- parently full-grown young male, but whose plumage was very undeveloped, head and much of plumage white, bill and feet blue, and tail square, having as yet not developed the fork. These birds were fairly plentiful and one or more could be seen at any time sailing within easy gun-shot often nervously closing and opening the forks of the tail. Another bird, six or seven specimens of which, I had a glimpse of, I shall IHK OOLOCilSr 119 not speak of now. The identidcation is hazy as yet. Later I may be able to add a note relative lo it. The Lau,^hing Gull I noted singly and in twos and threes but no evidence of their breeding here. What I rognrded as ."-trange was that I did not see a sin- gle Pelican. The Sooty Tern did the best for lue in the way of eggs and the majority of these wtre badly incubated. I collect- ed thirty-four sets of one each and could have taken many more. I also collected one recently hatched young, and at least one pair of birds in the ledges over our camp were feeding young apparently full grown. The nesting feites were ledges or shelves in the face of the rocky walls, ranging be- tween ten and forty feet above the beach. Some were narrow and others wide. In one case the egg was laid un- derneath a cactus plant on top of the rocks. lu some instances there seemed to be a slight gathering of rock chips and small pebbles about the eggs in the form of a ring, and in a very few one or two bits of twigs were added, but otherwise there was no nesting mater- ial and often the egg laid on the bare rock. la coloration the series that I took show considerable variation, the ground tint ranging from whitish through pinkish, to decided buflfy tint, and the markings, chestnut and laven- der shell marks, ranging from few scat- tered dots to quite thickly marked, some specimens having well defined wreaths of small dots about the large end and one a single blotch, besides a iew other marks, which measures 0.95 in diameter. I give below measure- ments of extremes and of eggs selected at random: 2.16x1.37, 2.11x1.35, 2 02x 1.41, 2.07x1.42, 2.06x1.38, 1.99x1.46, 2.06 xl.49. The Noddy Tern sits closely (as may be instanced by my native reaching ov- er the edge of a ledge and catching my first one in his hand), and when driven from their egg quickly return, if per- mitted. Occasionally one bird is found nesting on some isolated ledge but usu- ally at least three or four in close prox- imity and sometime-i sevt n or eight, according i,< the facilities cf the site. When disturb, d th«y dart from the ledge and close together they dart swal- low-like hbout the intruder;; head ut- tering angry cries Their cotes at this time and while fee