'T ^/~-,ovo\ I J J FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY /^ — ^ /Eo'jnd at\ lA.M.N.H.j The Oologist -for the- STUDENT OF BIRDS THEIR NESTS AND EGGS VOLUME XL AI-BION, N. Y. ?^ LACON, lUL. R. MAGOON BARNES, Editor and Publisher 1923 ILLUSTRATIONS NESTS AND EGGS Nest and Eggs and Loon 21 Nest and Eggs of America i Dip- per 44 Nest and Eggs of Solitary Sand- piper 53 Nest and Eggs of Pink-footed Goose 99, 101 Nest and Eggs of Snowy Heron 117 Nest and Eggs of Ruby-throated Hummingbird 197 Oriole's Nest 163 Nesting Site of Solitary Sand- piper 54 Nesting Cliff of Pink-footed Goose 97 EGGS Seventy Golden Eagle Eggs.... 160 Eggs of Caspian Tern 175 Eggs of Jacana 187 Eggs of Red-tailed Hawk 196 BIRDS Sand Hill Cranes 1 Young Kingfishers 19 What Are They? (Caracaras) . . 73 Blue Penguins 115, 117, 118 Florida Jay at Nest 189 PORTRAITS Karl A. Pember in Distress at Duck Hawk's Nest 78 Richard A. Harlow and A. D. Henderson 128 J. Warren Jacobs 193 Facsimile of Gold Medal Di- ploma 195 LANDSCAPE Home of the American Dipper. . 42 CONTRIBUTORS Abbott, G. A. Use Your Head 33 The 45th Anniversary at Boyd's Creek 91 Not Much Architecture Here... 118 Bob White's Quandry 134 A Vanishing Grouse 152 K. B. Mathes 179 Barnes, R. M. Books Received 10, 139,172 178, 201 Just a Few Choice Ones 14 Wouldn't You Like To Go 15 Entitled to Credit 24 Passed On 24 They Are Never Cured 24 An Alaskan Letter 33 Indexing the Oologist 40 The News 52 Passenger Pigeon 57 The Plight of the Gulls 58 More Cleckley 60 Early ' 53 The Starling 63 The Sale of John Lewis Childs' Library 74 From Canada 77 The Murrelet 79 Why? " 79 THE OOLOGIST A Prize SO Karl A. Pember 81 Scientific Snobbery 81 "More Sand" 87 It Spreads 92 "Ornithologia Americana" 94 The Winners 96 Another Prodigal Son Returns.. 102 Bartranian Sandpiper Going the Passenger Pigeon Route 105 Game Laws 107 Northern New York Winter Residents 112 A Newsy Letter 142 Geo. M. Sutton 151 G. A. Abbott 151 Additional Index 156 The Results of Being Too Scien- tifically Scientific 167 Getting Farther Away 168 Safe 171 An Interesting Experience 184 Quitting 184 Age and Exercise 186 Barker, W. H. H. Can Snakes Charm Birds? 122 the English Sparrow; I'.". . .; "^ Dove ^^' ^^ Ground 5, 46, 183 Mourning 4, 16, 28, 45. 46, 59 60, 71, 100, 132, 140, 146, 147 153, 161, 186 Mourning, Western 11, 153 Mexican Ground 103 White-fronted 153 White-winged 11, 102 West India White-winged 11 Ducks ...34, 45, 88, 104, 106, 107, 131 American, Golden-eye 65 Baldpate 65, 104 Barrow's Golden-eye 151 Bufflehead 14, 141, 151 Canvas-backed 28, 88 Florida 3 Gadwell 65, 88 Harlequin 33 Mallard ....27, 28, 31, 33, 46, 64, 71 88, 104, 106, 109, 149, 151, ISO Merganser 112 Merganser, Hooded 151 Merganser, Red-breasted 33, 64 Pintail 3, 33, 58, 88, 104,106 Red-headed 65, 88, 149 Ring-necked 65 Ruddy 149 Teal 29 Teal, Cinnamon 65, 151 Teal, Blue-winged. .65, 104, 149, 151 Teal, Green-winged. 3, 33, 65, 71, 88 Tree, Fulvous 65 Scaup 3^ 33 Scaup American .' 65 Scaup, Lesser 149^ 151 Scaup, Greater .' 104 Scoter, White-winged 104 Scoter, Surf 151 Shoveller 88 Spoon-bill 104 Widgeon gg Wood V.'.V.'.'.'.V, 46 Eagle ^^[^ 58, 66 Golden 33 .3, 142 Egret American "' 142 Reddish 142 Finch 43 Grass ".V.V.V.25, 83 House 28, 68, 72, 132, 153 Purple 17. 30, 92, 109. 131, 153, 190 Rosy 33, 108, 109 San Lucas, House 102 Falcon (see Hawks) Flicker (see Woodpecker) Flycatcher 17, 31, 43, 50, 80, 162 Alder 50. 150, 151 Ash-throated 91 California 103 Crested 6. 35. 58, 67, 162, 183 Crested, Great 166 Crested, Mexican 67, 103 Traill's 71, 132, 151, 166 Sulphur-bellied 35, 63 Western 151 Yellow-bellied 46, 186 Geese Blue 143, 151 Hutchins 33 Lesser, Snow 143 White-fronted 33 Gallinule Florida 4, 46, 65, 112, 149 Purple 4, 46 65 Goldfinch .7, 17. 46, 131, 133, 134, 190 American 68. Ill, 140, 141 Arkansas 27, 28 Pale 72 Goshawk (see Hawks) Gnatcatcher Black-tailed 70 Blue-gray ....8, 46. 70, 130. 164, 168 Western 70, 102 Crackle 23, 92, 100, 124 Boat-tailed 7, 68 Bronze 46,50,68, 71, 79 100, 104. 123 Florida 7, 183 Great-tailed 68 Purple 17, 59, 68, 140 Grebe 64, 149 American-eared 104 Holboell's 33. 151 Mexican 151 Pied-billed 2,27.29, 58. 71 104. 151 Grosbeak 45 Blue 132 Evening 30, 112 Piue 112, 151 Rose-breasted 57, 190 Western 153 Grouse 152, 158 Canada 55, 141 Pinnated .' 104 THE OOLOQIST Ruffed 15. 30, 31. 66. 147 151, 180. 186 Ruffed, Canadian 66. 186 Sage 66, 71 Sharp-tailed 66. 106 Sharp-tailed, Prairie ...66, 71,104 Gull 34, 58. 64, 174 California 151 Bonapart 34 Herring 186 Ring-billed 186 Short-billed 34 Western 91, 176 Hen Prairie 100 Heath 152 Hawks 9, 38, 60, Broad-winged 16, 55, Cooper's 16, 38, 60. 76, 92, 103, 134, Duck 33, 66, Fish Goshawk 127. Harris Marsh 5. 46. 59. 60. 104, 106, Merlin Merlin, Richardson Kestral Krider's Prairie, Falcon- 66, Pigeon Pigeon, Richardson Red-shouldered 16. 66. 76. Red-tailed ... 5, 60. 96, 134, 139. 151. Red-tailed Western 28, Red-tail, Kreider's Red-bellied Rough-legged 33 Red-tailed, Alaska Rough-legged Furruginous. , Sparrow 5, 28, 104. 105. 109, 132, 161, Sparrow, Little Sparrow. Western Sparrow, San Lucas Sharp-shinned 5. 129, Swainson 76, 129 126, 127 129, 182 61, 66 140, 151 76, 82 171, 181 151. 182 66. 153 66. 71 109, 201 . . . . 66 106 . . . . 66 104, 107 158. 159 5. 66 . ... 147 40, 59 96, 180 100. 127 161. 182 66, 71 . . . . 60 . ... 66 , 59, 66 . ... 33 ..66, 91 132 60. 102 151, 158 182, 201 5 . ... 71 . ... 103 16, 109 134, 151 5, 66 Hummingbird 9, 131, 147 Anna 91 Costa 103 Ruby-throated 6, 162, 181, 183 Rufous 91 Xanthus 103 Heron Black-crowned Night. 2, 142 3, 27, 28 65, 141, 149 Blue 142 Great Blue... 28, 46, 65. 71. 148. 161 Green 3, 58, 161 Little Blue 3, 65 Little Green 46, 65 Louisiana 3 Night 2 Snowy 65, 174 Ward's 3 White 46 Yellow-crowned Night 4 Jay Arizona 67 Black-headed 67 Blue 17, 29. 31. 45. 58 67, 100, 109, 140, 162, 183, 186 California 28. 67, 91, 132 Florida 6 Florida Blue 6 Green 67 Wood house 67 Xanthus 103 Ibis 2 White 3, 24 Wood 3 Indigo Bird 118 Jacona 186 Junco 17, 31, 45, 60. 109, 112 Montana 151 Slate-colored 59, 106, 140 Killdeer (See Plover) Kingbird 6, 25, 28, 43, 45 46, 49, 58, 71, 151, 162, 183, 186 Arkansas 28, 67, 71, 104, 153 Cassin's 67, 103 Gray 190 Kingfisher 29, 30, 45, 71, 100, 166, 186 Belted 5, 67, 140, 151, 162 Belted, Northwestern 11 Kinglet 43, 46 Golden-crowned 8, 17, 70. 112 Golden-crowned, Western 70 Ruby-crowned 70 Kite Swallow-tailed 5 10 THE OOLOQIST Lark European j^^^ Florida }°l Horned 33, 59. 60, 112 Horned. Desert '71 Horned. Western 28, 71 Horned Prairie 67, 162 Meadow 17, 22. 26, 45. 46, 58 59, 60, 68, 83, 106, 131 132, 134, 140, 166, 183 Meadow. Western. . .28, 68, 100, 166 Meadow, Southern 2, 10 Texan 68 Limpkin ^ LonRppur 33 Lapland 124 Chestnut-colored 104 McCown 104 Loon 24, 111, 140. 151. 186 Pacific 33 Magpie ...29, 52, 67, 71, 103, 106. 142 Yellow-billed 67 Man-o'-War Bird 3 Martin 22 Purple 7, 10. 35, 45, 68 101, 140, 166, 183 Mockingbird 7,17,28, 45, 46 60. 69, 123, 140, 147. 164. 183 Murrelet Xantus 176 Nutcracker Clark's 151 Nuthatch 43, 60 Brown-headed 7, 17, 46, 70, 183 Slender-billed 70, 91 White-breasted 17, 29, 70,100 109. 112, 164, 166 Florida, White-breasted 109. 112 Red-breasted 7 NiKhthawk 43. 148, 162, 183, 186 Florida 6 Texas 102, 153 Western 71, 151 Nightingale Greater Kamchatkan 12 Ovenbird 43. 69, 140, 190 Osprey 5, 66 Oriole 28, 43, 169 Arizona 153 Baltimore 68, 131, 186 Bullock's 28, 68, 71, 102, 153 Hooded 153 Hooded. Arizona 68, 91, 153 Orchard 7, 17, 45, 58, 153 Owl 9, 16, 47. 60, 76, 181 Barn 95. 66, 76, 103 Barred ..16, 29, 63, 67, 109, 140, 161 Barred, Florida 5 Burrowing 27, 28, 67, 71 Burrowing, Florida... 2, 5, 67 Elf 67 Florida 5 Great Gray 126, 151 Horned 33, 92, 127 Horned, Great ....29, 37, 63. 76 127, 151, 161 Horned, Great Western 71. 103 Hawk 180 Long-earned 30, 66, 71, 76, 103 Rocky Mountain Pygmy 11 Screech 16, 28, 29, 76, 79 109, 127, 140, 153 161, 166, 183, 202 Rocky Mountain 71 Sahuara 11 McFarlane's 151 Short-eared 57, 66, 104, 201 Snowy 30, 31 Partridge Quail, Bob White 58, 134, 146 Quail, Valley 66, 119 California 66, 119 Chestnut-bellied 66 Mexican 153 Gambel's 66 Pelican Brown 3, 91, 176 Brown, California 91 White 3 Petrel Socarro 91, 176 Pewee 43, 58 Wood 6, 58, 133, 140, 166 181, 183, 186 Western, Wood 71 Phalarope 33 Wilson 71, 104, 151 Red 34 Ptarmigan Willow 66 Phoebe • 17, 25, 28, 43, 67 162, 165, 186 Black 67, 103, 132, 153 Say's 67, 71, 158 THE OOLGGIST %1 Pigeon Passenger 57, 104, 105, 179 Pipit 18, 33 American 69 Plover 33 Black-bellied 4 Killdeer 4, 13, 15, 27, 29 46, 59, 60, 71, 91, 100, 106 124, 132, 140, 141, 148 151, 154, 166, 186 Upland 4 Snowy 30 Pyrrhuloxia Arizona 68 Lucas 103 Quail (See Partridge) Rail 2 Clapper 65 California 65 Louisiana 65 Wayne's 65 Crake, Spotted 65 King 4, 45 Sora 65, 71, 149, 151 Virginia 4, 65 Yellow 14 Raven 92 American 68, 176 White-necked 68, 153 Redstart American 49, 69, 103, 130 151,164, 190 Road-runner 28, 67, 103, 132, 146 Robin 8, 9, 18, 22, 25, 29 31, 33, 43, 46, 55, 58, 60 70, 100, 106, 112, 131, 140 151, 165, 166, 167, 171 Western 72 Sandpiper 29, 33, 45, 46 Bartramian 100, 104, 105, 166 Red Shank 11 Solitary 55, 56, 141 Spotted 27, 56, 151, 166, 186 Sapsucker Yellow-billed 16, 67 Red-naped 151 Williamson's 151 Shrike 45, 58 California 27, 28, 68, 91 Loggerhead 7, 58, 68, 104, 183 Migrant 17, 68, 164 Northern 109 White-rumped 60 Shearwater Pale-footed 19j Skimmer Black 3, 174 Snipe 33, 46, 56. Jack 100 European 15] Wilson 5, 15, 17, 140 Yellow Legs 4, 141 Greater Yellow Legs 4 Lesser Yellow Legs 104 Solitaire Townsend 72, 151 Sparrow 31, 43, 60, 92, 147 Chipping 8, 17, 25, 58, 131 140, 151, 152, 190 Chipping, Western 72 Clay-colored 103, 104 English 17, 28, 29, 31, 46^ 72 91 152 153 18'* Field ...45, 46, 59, 68! lOo! 166i 190 Field, Western 72 Fox ■;;; Vg, loo Gambel's 33, 132 Grasshopper 7^ io4 Grasshopper, Western .' 72 133 Lark Lark, Western 72, 153 Lincoln ' gg Dusky, Seaside 102 Nelson i^i Savana 17, 25,' 46, 79,' '83, 166 Sharp-tailed gg Song 17, 25, '63,* 100, 106 109, 131, 141, 166 Swamp 17, 68, 166 T^ee . 109 Tree, Western 33 Savana, Nevada n ^esper V.'l40, 166 Vesper, Western 72 White-crowned 7, loO, 102 White-throated 17, 50, 59,' 140 Western, Grasshopper 72 Yellow-crowned 33 Pine, Woods 183 Starling 17^ 22, 112 European 29, 46, 63 Stilt Black-necked 27, 29 Snowflake 45 igQ Siskin Pine .47, 68 12 THE OOLOGI8T r, ., 25, 43 Swallow • • • • ■ • ' ^ i-Q Rank ..7. 68, 72, 91, 151, 159 ^*°'' 162, 164, 165. 166, 190 Barn 7. 25. 28, 35, 72, 92 ^^™ 103, 140, 165, 190 cHr''.::::::7.-35,"58,- 72, 92:158 Rough-Winged 7, 45. 46. 68, 72 162, 1d4 Tree 25, 28. 36, 68, 72, 151, 190 White-bellied 1^1 swift 16, 43 Black Chimney';!;;:.. 6, 10, 25. 46, 119 121, 158, 162, 183 White-throated 158. 159 swan 33.104 Whistling i^O Tanager ^3 Louisiana '^ Scarlet 1^^ Summer" ::::: 7, 45, 46, 92, 183 Western 151 Tern 2, 46, 186 Arctic Black '.'.V.V.27. 29, 64, 149, 151, 186 Caspian 174, 186 Least 30, 91 Bhrasher 43, 147, 164 California 69, 91 Brown ....7. 17. 45, 46. 58. 69 72, 100, 104, 166, 183 Curved-billed 69 Sage 72 Sennetfs 69 Thrush 23 Alice 33 Hermit 70, 190 Varied 33 Red-winged 70 Wood 45, 46, 104, 164 Willow 72 Wilson 49, 70, 132 Titmouse Plain 70 Tufted 7, 18, 60, 70, 140 Towhee 17, 29, 58, 59, 60, 68, 104 Arctic 72 Anthony 91 San Diego 91. 132, 146. 147 White-eyed 7 Turkey Florida 4 Wild 16, 34, 46, 64, 179 Water 3, 46 Vireo 17, 43, 46, 92 Bell's • • • JJJ Blue-headed 18. 133 Least 103 Warbling 151 Red-eyed 18, 46, 58, 131, 164 183, 190 White-eyed 164, 183 Yellow-throated 58, 164 Vulture 132 Black 5, 161 Turkey ..5, 16, 29, 92, 111, 140, 161 Wagtail White 69 Warblers 43, 46, 92, 100 Audubon 103, 151 Black and White 140, 164, 181 190, 201 Black-throated Green 190 Blackpoll 33 Black-capped 33 Blue-winged 69 Canada 181, 190 Chapman's 150 Connecticut 141 Cerulean 191 Chestnut-sided 49, 109, 190 Golden Plleated 169 Golden-winged 69 Ground 43 Hooded 201 Kentucky 69, 164 Lutescent 69, 103 Mourning 69, 149, 150 Magnolia 49, 190 Myrtle 18, 33, 190 McGillvary 103 Nashville 190 Ovenbird 43, 69, 140, 190 Pine 46 Parula 46 Palm 141 Prairie 46, 190, 201 Prothonotary 69 Sycamore 164 Townsend ng Yellow 25, 33, 49, 58, 141 151, 164, 166 Wilson 149 Water Thrush 69 Grinnell's 141^ 151 Louisiana _' 164 Waxwing Cedar ..17, 31, 49, 91, 132, 151, 190 Willet 104 Western '71 91 THE OOLOGIST 18 Whippoorwill 43, 92, 148, 166 186, 201 Poor Will 71 Woodcock ....15, 59, 91, 140, 141, 179 Woodpecker 9, 28, 31, 33 43, 61, 67, 92, 100, 104, 132 136, 140, 150, 162, 166, 183, 201 Cactus 11 California 67 Downey 16, 29, 31, 60, 92 109, 162, 183 Downey, Southern 100 F^icke^ 6, 16. 25. 58, 60, 67 Flicker. Northern 67. 106. 186 Flicker. Gilded 67. 102 Golden-fronted 35. 67 Hairy 16. 29, 60, 100, 162 Hairy, Northern 151 Hairy, Southern 100 Ivory-billed 45. 179 Lewis 71. 67 Mearn's Gilded Flicker 11 Northwestern Flicker 67 Pileated ..6, 16, 31, 45. 63, 107. 162 Pileated. Northern 109. 151 Red-headed . . 6, 16, 45, 59, 71 92, 109. 140, 153, 162, 166, 183. 201 Red-bellied 6, 16, 60, 92, 110 162, 183 Red-cockaded 6 Red-shafted 27, 28, 67, 71 San Fernando 11 Three-toed 151 Alaska 151 California 67, 132 White-breasted 11 Wren 28, 31, 43, 45, 48. 150. 169 Bewick 58. 69. 164 Bewick. Northwest 69 Cactus 133 Cactus, San Lucas 102 Canon 72 Carolina 18, 59, 164, 183 House 69, 140 Marsh 166 Marsh. Long-billed. 7, 69, 79, 83, 133 Marsh, Prairie 164 Marsh, Short-billed 69, 79 Marsh, Worthington's 69 Rock 69. 158 San Nicholas 176 Tule 9, 6 Winter 7, 69 Western 29 Western, House 69, 72 Westorn, Winter 69 Yellow-throat Belding 103 Florida 7 Maryland 69. 131, 140, 164 Northern 69, 72 Tule 103 Western 72, 151 FOREIGN BIRDS Ant Thrush 62 Flycatcher 62 Goose, Pink-footed 98 Hummingbird 62 Japim 63 Macaw 62 Motmot 63 Parrot 61, 62 Paroquet 62 Penguin 114 Toucan 62 Tanager 63 Trogan 63 Woodpecker 61 The Oologist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. No. 1. ALBION, N. Y., Jan., 1923. Whole No. 429 THE. OOLOGIST DRIBF SPBCIAL AN NOUNCBMRM'S Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Htc, inserted In this department at 15 a«Dta tor each 2S words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. No notioe Iti- ''erted for less than 25 cents. We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to d»ftl 'n the same These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide 'exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only. — BDITOR. Full SALE or EXCHANGE for Eggs — Birds of Eastern Canada — Taverner; Birds of New York, two vols. — Eaton; Birds of a Maryland Farm — Judd; Com- parative Oology of N. A. Birds — Schu- feldt; Book of Birds, 250 col. plates — Henshaw; Catalog of Birds of Kansas — Goss; History of Birds of Kansas — Goss; Check list of Birds of New York — Farr; Birds of South Dakota — Over and Thorns; Key to Land Mammals of northeastern N. A. — Miller; Catalog of Birds of Kansas with description of nests and eggs — Goss; Raptorial Birds of Iowa; A Portfolio of 106 col. plates of Birds of Puertes. Lieut. L. R. Wolfe, 26th U. S. Infantry, Plattsburg, N. Y. I have for EXCHANGE sets of eggs of the following species, A. O. U. Nos. : 1, 3. 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 32, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48. 51, 53, 54, 58, 59, 63, 65, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 80, 81, 81.1, 83, 86, 86a, 104, 106, 107, 114, 114.1, 115. 115.1, 117, 120, 125, ■^^ANTED to hear from collectors 127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 138, 140, 141, 142, having sets of eggs or Bird Skins to 143, 144, 150, 160, 167, 169, 172, i72a, 'l72c' FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — Butter- flies of New England for California Butterflies. T. Love, Collector, 105 Grove, Lynn, Mass^ ~FOR~EXCHANGE — Stamp collection — about 5000 stamps. Will exchange for common sets. Write. Johnson Neff, 1110 Paquin St., Columbia. Missouri data" BLANKS— I will print 500 Standard Data Blanks with your name on them for $1.50 postpaid. Edward S. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Massachusetts. FOR SALE — Many complete volumes of The Oologist, and rare and out of print bird publications, cheap for cash. A.^ Schytz^ Austin, Texas. Box 302. ^ WANTED^^'University~of Wyoming bulletin No. 55. Tlie Birds of Wyoming, by Prof. Knight. Will pay cash or ex- change. James A. Neilson, Wheatland, Wyo. dispose of. Cash or exchange. C. F Pahrman. 1011 Fourth St., La Porte, Ind JOHN LORANG, Geneseeridaho. Col^ lector of Idaho Birds eggs, also Bird and Animal Skins for mounting pur- poses. For sale or exchange. A black Squirrel Skin Mounted. For Disposal, Over 150 back issues of the Young Oologist and Oologist. Half of them prior to 1900 and including ten issues of the rare Vol. 1, 1884. Fred M. Dille. Valentine. Nebraska. FOP. SALE— Auk, 1918 and 1920, vol- umes complete. $1.50 each, prepaid. AVilsion bulletin, 1920 volume, 90c. Bi- ological lUilletin 17 and 39 also. Fred l^ifrce. AN'iuthrop. Iowa. In addition to eggs in sets I am making a cosmopolitan collection of singles. Must have accurate data thor- oughly identified. Offer skins, eggs, or cash. A. W. Hanaford, R. R. 9, Box 1210 Los Angeles, Cal. '•Beginners Luck" — A collection of 75 varieties, eggs in sets, at a bargain. Common and not common; a good start for a collector. Also a Woodpecker ;ind sapsucker, group of fifteen varie- ties, very reasonable. Send for lists and prices. Fred Dille, Valentine. Nebr. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE— After two years and a half in storage, I have now unpacked my library, bird and mammal collections, and have for sale niaiiy duplicate books and O. & O. pub- lications. Also will exchange bird and mammal skins from this section and "^^^ , '^f ^ raptors, finches and jays. Jlarold IT. Bailey, Miami Beach, Zoo'l lark and Museum of Natural History. Miami Beach, Florida. 174, 178, 179, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 192, 194, 194b, 196, 199. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, 111. Get a CATALOG Before they are All Gone They are going hery fast. Less than 100 copies are left. The Oologist. Vol. XL. No.l Albion, N. V., Jan., 1923. Whole No. 429 O^vned and Published Monthly, by R. M. HAR:\KS, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, 111. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PER YEAFt Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your sub.scription expires with this issue Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Albion N. T., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Sand Hill Cranes, 10 Days Old. June 10-22. Warner Lakes, Oregon— A. G. Prill. 186 THE OOLOGIST AN ANNOTATED LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN SOUTH FLORIDA The following is a list of birds ob- served by the writer during the period from November 1920 to July 1922 in- clusive, during my tour of duty at the Army Air Service Station at Carlstrom Field, situated about seven miles south and east of Arcadia, Florida. These notes are not the result o^: painstaking study but rather the casual notes jotted down while on brief fishing or hunting trips, and in- spired by the abundance of bird life or perhaps more accurately the facili- ty of observation afforded by individ- uals of the species noted by reason of their numbers and their seeming lack of fear at the approach of humans. The localities visited are included between the 28th and 26th parallels of north latitude, and from the Gulf coast on the west at Punta Gorda to the western shore of Lake Okechobee on the east; comprising Fisheating Creek, Charlotte Harbor, Sugar Bowl City, Peace River, Caloosahatchee River, Prairie Creek, and various other small marshes and streams, included in the counties of DeSoto, Polk, Lee, Punta Gorda, and offers a typical cross section of South Florida. De Soto County which is representa- tive of all the territory visited has much typical Savanna landscape, ex- tensive stretches of level flat land covered with wild grasses and low growths of Saw Palmetto, with many Hats or small marshes which are covered with pools of shallow water in which marsh vegetation grows abundantly, these pools or marshes are bordered by tall clumps of sage grass, and support cat-tail rushes, blue flags, water lilies, and pickerel weed which makes good breeding sites for Rails, and hunting grounds for Herons, Ibis, etc., and usually to one side of these marshes is found a clump of oak, ald- er, myrtle and willow in which the Niglit Herons find refuge. On the open prairie the most strik- ing features of bird life are the Sand- hill Cranes, Florida Burrowing Owl, and Southern Meadowlark. Occasional "islands" of pine forest varying from a few acres to several square miles invade the prairie and break the monotony of the flat level grassland. "Hammocks" or clumps of live oaks, cabbage palms, and other arboreal growth are a distinctive feat- ure of this country. Along the rivers and smaller streams are belts of forest, composed on the outer edge of pines, and an inner zone of palms, tupelo, oak and cypress, the different trees predominating accord- ing to the nature of the soil and other conditions so that one finds groves composed exclusively of palms in one place and in others nothing but cy- press. The pine forests are open and light with a carpet of grass and saw palmetto, while the palm groves have bare floors or little growth and the tupelo and cypress are usually swampy with little or no undergrowth; inter- spersed among these are thickets of alder, myrtle, scrub oak and green- brier. The larger trees are all hung with streamers of Spanish moss which gives the cypress and pine groves a splendid cathedral effect, while the presence of air plants and trumpet creepers in the trees along the streams remind one that this is the tropics. 1. A. O. U. No. 6. Podilymbus podi- ceps. Pied-billed Grebe. Often seen in small open pools, locally called "dappled Diver," observed every month in the year. 2. A. O. U. No. 70. Sterna hirundo, Common Tern. Seen at Tampa, Ft. THE OOLOGIST 187 Meyers and Piinta Gorda. Not com- mon. 3. A. O. U. No. 80. Rynchops nigra- black Skimmer. Quite a number seen at Clearwater, near Tampa, July 1922. 4. A. O. U. No. 118. Anhinga anhin- ga, Water Turkey. First seen (two specimen) Oct. 18, 1921, July 16, 1922 while motoring from Tampa to Ar- cadia in a shallow pool by a phosphate mine near Mulberry, Flordia. We tjaw four anhingas, two were in the water with only their heads and a length of neck showing snake-like and other two were perched on some old piles evidently drying their feathers after a prolonged immersion, for they sat motionless with extended wings and spread tails. We stopped beside one of the latter that was near the road perhaps ten yards from us, and watched it for some time, at length wishing to see it in flight with some difficulty we flushed the bird, but it flew only a few yards squawking a protest at being disturbed, then in- considerately flopped into the water and disappeared after a few moments. However, its head appeared above water; then some of its neck. By its motions we could tell that it was walk- ing on the bottom of the pool with its body submerged and head and neck sticking out. 5. A. O. U. No. 120a. Phalacrocorax auritus ciccinatus, Florida Cormorant. This species seen at Punta Gorda April 1921 and Tampa July 1922. 6. A. O. U. No. 125. Pelecanus erythrorynchos, White Pelican. Quite common along the coast. 7. A. O. U. No. 126. Pelecanus oc- cidentalis, Brown Pelican. Quite com- mon along the coast, but not so tamo as the White. 8. A. O. U. No. 128. Fregata aquila, Man-o'-war-bird. First seen May .30 1921. Afterward seen in large num- bers at Crescent Beach near Fort Meyers. I saw this bird do a tailspin in approved airplane fashion. 9. A. O. U. No. 134a. Anas fulvigula «iaculosa, Florida Duck, resident May 14, 1921. The enlisted men of the Medical Department at the Field cap- tured flve downy young of this species in one of the drain ditches on the Field. 10. A. O. U. No. 139. Nettion caro- linense. Green-winged Teal. Quite common in fall migration. 11. A. O. U. No. 143. Daflla acuta. Pintail. Common in migration. 12. A. O. U. No. 144. Aix Sponsa, Wood Duck. A pair of these beautiful Ducks were killed near the Field by a local hunter in the winter of 1921-22. 13. A. O. U. No. 148. Marila marila, Scaup Duck. Many seen at all times of the year at Punta Gorda. 14. A. O. U. No. 184. Guara Alba, White Ibis. Many seen. 15. A. O. U. No. 188. Mycteria Americana, Wood Ibis. Often seen. A huge flock seen near Lake Okechobee, Dec. 1920. 16. A. O. U. No. 190. Botaurus len- tiginosus, Bittern. Often seen. 17. A. O. U. No. 191. Ixobrychus exilis. Least Bittern. One seen April 1922. 18. A. O. U. No. 194b. Ardea herodias Wardii. Ward's Heron. Very common. 19. A. O. U. No. 199. Herodias Egretta, Egret. Few seen at intervals. 20. A. O. U. No. 199. Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis, Louisiana Heron. Often seen. 21. A. O. U. No. 200. Florida caerulea, Little Blue Heron. Common. 22. A. O. U. No. 201. Butorides virescens virescens, Green Heron. Many seen especially in the late sum- mer. 23. A. O. U. No. 202. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius, Black-crowned Night Heron. Common about all the 188 THE OOLOGISt marshes. 24. A. O. U. No. 203. Nyctauassa violacea, Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Not so common as the foregoing species. One seen feeding at the kitchens of the soldiers mess in the spring of 1922. 25. A. O. U. No. 206. Grus mexi- cana, Sandhill Crane. Abundant at all times. Called "Sandhill Whooper" locally and sought for food. 26. A. O. U. 207. Aramus vociferus, Limpkin. Several seen. 27. A. 0. U. No. 208. Rallus elegans, King Rail. Several seen. 28. A. O. U. No. 212. Rallus vir- ginianus, Virginia Rail. One seen. 29. A. O. U. No. 218. lonornis mar- tinicus, Purple Gallinule. Several seen in 1922. 30. A. O. U. No. 219. Gallinula ga- leata, Florida Gallinule. Several seen in 1922. 31. A. 0. U. No. 221. Fulica ameri- cana, Coot. Huge flock seen near Okechobee. 32. A. O. U. No. 230. Gallinago delicata, Wilson's Snipe. Many seen in the winter. 33. A. O. U. No. 254. Tetanus me- lanoleucus, Greater Yellowlegs. Sev- eral seen Dec. 1920. 34. A. O. U. No. 255. Tetanus fla- vipes, Yellowlegs. Many seen. 35. A. 0. U. No. 261. Bartramia longicauda, Upland Plover. Many seen. 36. A. O. U. No. 263. Actitis ma- cularia, Spotted Sandpiper. Few seen in the winter of 1920-21. 37. A. O. U. No. 270. Squatarola squatarola, Black-bellied Plover. Two seen in fall of 1921. 38. A. O. U. No. 273. Oxyechus vo- ciferus, Killdeer. Abundant in the spring on the prairies. 39. A. O. U. No. 289a. Coliuns vir- ginianus, Floridanus, Florida Bob- white. Very abundant at all times; the shooting season finds many hunt- ers afield all through the season and many are the limit bags brought in but for all the slaughter the number of birds seem to remain the same. One covey of about 20 birds lived in the va- cant lots across the street from our house during the autumn of 1921 and fed in our yard afternoons, often be- ing seen crossing the paved street while motor cars were passing. 40. A. O. U. No. 310b. Meleagris gallopavo osceola, Florida Turkey. This noble game bird is still found in slowly diminishing numbers, diminish- ing because of the fact that many are killed during the summer months, when fledglings. At this age the young poults may be broiled and are very good cooked in this way. I was in- formed by one hunter that he killed 77 young turkeys in the summer of 1921. June 20. 1922 while motoring from Fort Meyers to Arcadia via "The Woods Road" we came upon a pair of old Turkeys and eighteen young feed- ing in an open space in the cypress woods. The old Turkeys were apparent- ly not much alarmed and moved off about twenty yards where they stopped and stood motionless observ- ing us intently, the young fully feathered and perhaps half grown, continued to feed among the bunches of sage grass apparently unconscious of our presence. The old birds stood this about five minutes and then did a regular movie "fadeout" but the youngsters were in sight about fifteen minutes before their quest for food took them out of range of vision. 41. A. O. U. No. 316. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis, Mourning Dove. Very abundant at all times of the year and hunted in season as a game bird. They congregate around fields of grain and in chufa fields in huge flocks and it is there that the sportsmen go to THE OOLOGIST 189 shoot them. They furnish very good sport as they fly very fast and recinire a direct hit to come down. Their flesh is considered very good to eat and for this reason they are hunted. 42. A. O. U. No. 320. Chaempelia paserina terrestris, Ground Dove. Very common at all times of the year. 43. A. O. U. No. 325. Cathartes aura septentrionalis, Turkey Vulture. Very common at all times and every- where. Not so tame perhaps as the next species, but to be seen associat- ing in flocks with the Black Vulture. uly 27, 1922 one of these birds swooped down in the pine woods back of the house where we were living at the time and rose almost instantly witli a four foot black snake in its beak, hold- ing the writhing snake firmly by tlie head the Vulture rose quickly to a few hundred feet altitude and swept away followed by two other Vultures who had seen him make the capture. 44. A. O. U. No. 326. Catharista uruba, Black Vulture, ubiquitus. Asso- ciated with the preceding species, they act as scavengers for all refuse of any kind that is left exposed for any time. On the open range these birds are found feeding with the Tur- key Vultures and Caracara. 45. A. O. U. No. 327. Elanoides forficatus. Swallow-tailed Kite. Three specimen seen June 20, 1922 in a cy- press swamp while motoring from Fort Meyers to Arcadia, and judging by their actions and the presence of a nest in a nearby tree I assumed that they were nesting there. These birds at this time gave us a wonderful ex- hibition of their flying ability, "zoom- ing," side-slipping, and rolling, all the time uttering their cackling notes. 46. A. O. U. No. 331. Circus hud- sonius, Marsh Hawk. Very common. Seen nearly every day skimming over the prairie in search of food. 47. A. O. U. No. 332. Acciptervelox, Sharp-shinned Hawk. One seen in Ar- cadia chasing Sparrows. 48. A. O. U. No. 337. Buteo bore- alis, borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. Often seen circling over the woods. 49. No. 339a. Buteo lineatus alleni, Florida Red-shouldered Hawk. Seen along nearly every ditch or crawfish pool hunting food. One set of two eggs taken in April 1921. 50. A. O. U. No. 342. Buteo swain- soni, Swainson's Hawk. One seen in the spring of 1922. 51. A. O. U. No. 357. Falco colum- baris columbaris, Pigeon Hawk. One seen. 52. A. O. U. No. 360c. Falco spar- verius paulus. Little Sparrow Hawk. Many seen at all tinges. 53. A. O. U. No. 362. Polyborus cheriway, Audubon's Caracara. Often seen nests in January. 54. A. O. U. No. 364. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, Osprey. Many seen. One nest seen near Punta Gor- da in 1921. Three nests occupied in same locality in 1922. All huge nests in dead pine trees on borders of a small stream called "Shell Creek." 55. A. O. U. No. 365. Aluco pratin- cola, Barn Owl. One seen near Okecho- bee Dec. 1920. 56. A. O. U. No. 368a. Strix varia alleni, Florida Barred Owl. Several seen at different times. 57. A. O. U. No. 373a. Otus asio floridanus, Florida Owl. Common one nested in porch pillar in Arcadia. 58. A. O. U. No. 378a. Speotyto cunicularia floridana, Florida Burrow- ing Owl. Nests in every available place on the prairie. Several nests on the flying field in the summer of 1921. 59. A. O. U. No. 387. Coccyzus americanus americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Often seen in the vicinity of orange groves. 60. A. O. U. No. 390. Ceryle Alcy- on, Belted Kingfisher. A conspicuous 190 THE OOLOGIST object near every ditch and pool where minnows are to be found. 61. A. O. U. No. 393b. Dryobates villosus aiiduboni, Southern Hairy Woodpecker. One seen in our yard in Arcadia. 62. A. O. U. No. 395. Dryobates Borealis, Red-coclcaded Woodpecker. Several seen in our yard in Arcadia. These birds would come and thorough- ly inspect the pine trees in our yard, beginning at the bottom of the tree and working upward, then when finished with a tree they would fly to another where the same performance would be repeated. 63. A. O. U. No. 405. Phloectomus pileatus, Pileated Woodpecker. A pair seen June 20, 1922. 64. A. O. U. No. 406. Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Wood- pecker. Seen in all localities visited this noisy bird always in evidence. 65. A. O. U. No. 409. Centurus carolinus. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Often seen in the woods. 66. A. O. U. No. 412. Colaptes auratus auratus, Flicker. Often seen in all localities. Frequently the Flick- ers came down in our yard in town and spent some hours digging in the ant hills that infested the ground. 67. A. O. U. No. 416. Antrostomus carolinensis. Chuck-will's Widow. Many heard. 68. A. O. U. No. 420b. Chordeiles virginianus chapmani, Florida Night- hawk. A great many of these birds were seen at all times of day. 69. A. O. U. No. 423. Chaetura Pelagica, Chimney Swift. A few seen in Arcadia. 70. A. O. U. No. 428. Archilochus colubris, Ruby-throated Hummingbird. One seen in Arcadia June 10, 1921. 71. A. O. U. No. 444. Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird. Often seen es- pecially around towns. 72. A. O. U. No. 445. Tyrannus dominicensis, Gray KingbiX'd. One seen July 16, 1922 at Clearwater Beach. 73. A. O. U. No. 452. Myiarchus crinitus, Crested Flycatcher. Quite often heard and often seen . One pair tried to nest in one of the downsprouts of the house where we lived in Ar- cadia. In May 1921 three attempts were made but the occurrence of rains brought their plans to naught each time. On their first attempt the nest was completed and egg laid. The second time four eggs were laid when a rain washed nest and eggs out. The third trial got only as far as the com- pletion of the nest when it was washed out. The patient birds then gave up that place as an undesirable location and after a time departed from that neighborhood. These birds built their nests out of dried grasses and of course the usual lining of snakeskin. 74. A. O. U. No. 461. Myiochanes virens, Wood Pewee. Few seen. 75. A. O. U. No. 477a. Cyanocitta cristata florinicola, Florida Blue Jay. Often seen especially in town. 76. A. O. U. No. 479. Aphelocoma cyanea, Florida Jay. One seen on Fisheating Creek Dec. 1920. 77. A. O. U. No. 488a. Corvus brachyrychos, pascuus, Florida Crow. Often seen. 78. A. O. U. No. 490. Corvus ossi- fragus, Fish Crow. Few seen. 79. A. O. U. No. 494. Dolichony- xoryzivorous. Bobolink. One fiock of 20 seen near Carlstrom Field, May 12, 1921. 80. A. O. U. No. 498c. Agelaius phoeniceus floridanus. Florida Red- wing. Colonies nesting in every suit- able marsh. 81. A. O. U. No. 501c. Sturnella magna argutula, Southern Meadow- lark. Seen everywhere and at all times. Very tame. 82. A. O. U. No. 506. Icterius Spur- THE OOLOGIST 191 iiir. Orchard Oriole. Few seen in win- ter. 83. A. O. U. No. 511a. Quiscalus quiscnla aglaeus, Florida Grackle. Many seen at all times of year. 84. A. O. U. No. 513. Megaquiscal- us major major. Boat-tailed Grackle, called "Jackdaw" by the inhabitants. Very abundant. 85. A. O. U. No. 529. Astragalinus tristis tristis. Goldfinch. A large flock of these little beauties alighted in our yard one autumn afternoon in 1921. 86. A. O. U. No. 546b. Ammodram- us savannarum floridanus, Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. Often seen and heard on the prairie. 87. A. O. U. No. 554. Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys, White-crowned Sparrow. One seen Jan. 20, 1921. 88. A. O. U. No. 587a. Pipilo ery- thropthalmus Alleni, White-eyed Tow- hee. This noisy fellow could be often heard whistling his loud call from every wayside bush or noisily scratch- ing among the leaves and undergrowth. 89. A. O. U. No. 593d. Cardinalis cardinalis floridanus, Florida Cardinal. Very often seen, especially about brier thickets. 90. A. O. U. No. 610. Piranga rub- ra, rubra. Summer Tanager. Seen in woods. 91. A. O. U. No. 611. Progne subis subis. Purple Martin. Many seen, mostly in towns or around houses. 92. A. O. U. No. 612. Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons, Cliff Swallow. Many seen in spring and fall migra- tions. 93. A. O. U. No. 613. Hirundo ery- throgaster. Barn Swallow. Common. 94. A. O. U. No. 616. Riparia ri- paria. Bank Swallow. F'ound nesting along Fisheating Creek. 95. A. O. U. No. 617. Stelgidop- teryx serripennis. Rough-winged Swal- low. Many seen in spring and fall migrations. 96. A. O. U. No. 622. Lanius ludo- vicianus ludovicianus. Loggerhead Shrike. Abundant. One pair nested in a pine tree in our yard in Arcadia in the spring of 1922. 97. A. O. U. No. 658. Dendroica cerulea. Cerulean Warbler. Seen in fall of 1921. 98. A. O. U. No. 681b. Geothylipis trichas ignota, Florida Yellowthroat. Often seen and more often heard usually in low places. 99. A. O. U. No. 683. Icteria virens, virens. Yellow-breasted Chat. Few seen in thick woods. 100. A. O. U. No. 703. Mimus Poly- glottos polyglottos. Mockingbird. Very abundant. Seen everywhere and at all times. 101. A. O. U. No. 704. Dumetella carolinensis. Catbird. Common. 102. A. O. U. No. 705. Toxostoma rufum, Brown Thrasher. Few seen in fall of 1921. 103. A. O. U. No. 718a. Thryo- thorus ludovicianus Miamensis, Flor- ida Wren. Few seen in Arcadia. 104. A. O. U. No. 722. Nannus, hiemalis, hiemalis. Winter Wren. One seen in oleander bushes in our yard in Arcadia in fall of 1921. 105. A. O. U. No. 725. Telma- todytes palustris palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren. Few seen in mar.sh near Sugarbowl City Oct. 1921. 106. A. O. U. No. 727b. Sitta caro- linensis atkinsi, Florida White-breast- ed Nuthatch. Several seen near Sugarbowl Oct. 1921. 107. A. O. U. No. 729. Sitta pusilla. Brown-headed Nuthatch. A small flock seen Oct. 18, 1921 near Sugar- bowl. 108. A. O. U. No. 731. Baelophus bicolor, Tufted Titmouse. Several seen. 109. A. O. U. No. 736. Penthestes carolinensis carolinensis, Carolina Chickadee. Few seen in Arcadia not noted in other places. 192 THE OOLOGIST 110. A. O. U. No. 748. Regains sa- trapa, Golden-crowned Kinglet. One seen in our yard in Arcadia Oct. 20, 1921. 111. A. O. U. No. 751. Polioptila caeriilea caerulea, Blue-gray Gnat catcher. A pair seen in Arcadia Sept. 18, 1921. 112. A. O. U. No. 761. Planesticus raigratorius migratorius, Robin. Many seen in spring and fall. 113. A. O. U. No. 766. Silia sialis sialis, Bluebird. Often seen at all times of year. Logan I. Evans, Arcadia, Florida. EVIDENCE OF TH E BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO ROBBING OTHER BIRDS' NESTS, AND SOME SCIENTIFIC FACTS CONCERNING THE COLORATION OF BIRDS EGGS By J. Warren Jacobs, Director Museum of Applied Oology, Waynesburg, Pa. In the section of abnormal eggs in the Museum of Applied Oology is re- corded a set of three eggs of the Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus ery- tbrophthalmus), one of which is )or rather was) a supposed runt about the size and shape of a Chipping Spar- row's egg (Spizella passerina passer- ina). The set was collected June 10, 1897, by the late William L. Kells, the well known and very reliable Oologist of Listowell, Ontario, Canada, of the SO's and 90's. At the time of receiving this set as an example of abnormalism, 1 write Mr. Kells stating my belief that the small egg was an almost immaculate speci- men of the Chipping Sparrov; species, which, in some manner, had gotten in- to the Cuckoo's nest, possibly by the latter species stealing the same from a nearby nest of the Chippie, as the Cuckoo's nest was found in an apple orchard wherein is usually found a nesting resort of the Sparrow. Evi- dence of this, I pointed out to Mr. Kells, was apparent from the fact that he blew the contents of the small egg through a small irregular hole already in the side of the shell when found. This shell puncture resembles a break made by a bird's beak. Mr. Kell's reply to me seemed too positive of self assurance that the small egg was of the Cuckoo's laying, and the matter was laid aside for future investigation. Had this small egg been in the ordinary spot- ting of a normal egg of the Chippie, I could have been without any doubts of its Identity, and perhaps Mr. Kells would have arrived at the same con- clusion before sending me the set, 1 e, that the small egg was really one of the Chippie stolen by the Cuckoo. Had the egg lacked traces of spottings of a reddish pigment I could have ac- cepted Mr. Kells' assurance as to species, as the ground color was of the same shade of green as seen in its two companions — the Cuckoo's — one of which also showed the same contour characteristics. The markings re- ferred to are of a very subdued vi- naceous, or vinaceous-pink, and seated most heavily in the form of an irregu- lar wreath around the larger end, just as the under colors are sometimes seen in the lightly marked specimen of Chipping Sparrow egg, and this alone seemed to me, was positive evi- dence that no Cuckoo laid the egg. In the twenty-five years which have elapsed since receiving this set into the Museum, I have somewhat ad- vanced my own knowledge of the facts governing the coloration of birds' eggs, through studies of relationship of birds and the causes of abnormalism among eggs. Mr. Kells had based identification of the small egg on the fact that he found it in the Cuckoo's nest, and attended, together with the other two eggs, by the brooding THE OOLOGIST 193 Cuckoo, overlooking or miniinizinK the possible fact that the markings on the small egg were composed of a color pigment foreign to the pro- ductive organs of the Cuckoo. This is apparent when we consider facts in relationship of birds, and the proof is conclusive when we realize that throughout the whole of the order — ■ including sub-orders — to which the Cuckoos and their allies belong, no species lays eggs spotted with any reddish color pigments. It would be against a law of nature which created the Cuckoos and sent them forth en- dowed with physical power to exact from nature certain things not in con- flict with other laws of her creation. It would not be entirely impossible to find an abnormally pure white, or nearly pure white egg of a Cuckoo, nor is it an impossible expectancy to find them abnormally deep green, be- cause nature has empowered the bird to draw little or much of these color- ing substances from her store house; but never will a reddish spotted egg be laid by any member of the Cuckoo family, for, throughout the whole or- der of relationship, no species lays normal eggs so spotted. Nature may refuse to supply suf- ficient coloring matter to enable a bird's egg producing organs to finish off a normal colored egg, or she may provide a superfluous abundance of the normal coloring pigments to over- color a bird's egg, but she will not give to a bird productive functions foreign to its own kind or those inherited from near relatives. No Oologist will ever find spotted eggs of Woodpeckers, nor will one ever report bluish or greenish tinted eggs of the Humming- birds. Nature forbids it. Ornithologists have brought Hawks and Owls in close relationship by grouping them in the Order RAP- TORES, Birds of Prey, but separating them finally, l)y a straw, by grouping the former in the Sub-Order FAL- CONES, and the latter in the Sub- Order STRIGES, which is a union of closer relationship than Nature's fundamental laws seem to permit. Delving into fundamental principles for a proper scientific determination of species will not permit a lightly passing over of the make-up of a bird's egg from whence the bird came, and which, in the bird's life, it must re- produce, bearing evidence of heredi- tary elements. Since nature may refuse some normal element of coloring pig- ments to a mated Hawk, that Hawk will respond with an egg which we may consider either normally or ab- normally immaculate; and since na- ture may supply another member of the same species with an over abund- ance of the pigments, we may find an egg very highly colored, even to the point of abnormally so; but nature has ordained that eggs of any species of Owl should not be spotted, hence no Owl will ever lay a spotted egg nor one showing the bluish-green tint within the shell texture as is the case with other birds of prey. The reason we sometimes find Robins' eggs abnormally spotted is because the Robin is close in relation- ship with other birds which habitual- ly lay spotted eggs. What is true with the Robin is also true in the case of many other species; but in no wise will an abnormally colored egg of any species be found which carries the elements of that abnormalism outside its own relationship among birds of its order. The relationship of birds through facts and proofs supplied by scientific Oologists is a coming important factor in the final means of classification of birds. 194 THE OOLOGIST BOOKS RECEIVED Report of the Superiutendent of National Zoological Park, for year ending June 30th, 1922. This publication consists of but fourteen pages and is a comprehensive resume of the activities of that insti- tution during the period covered and shows four hundred and eighty-two species on hand June 30th last includ- ed in which are the following: Mam- mals 490, birds 1069, reptiles 122. Something over two hundred people visited this exhibit during those twelve months. The appropriation by Congress being $125,200 for the main- tenance, and should be doubled. — R. M. Barnes. "Wild Fowl Lore" Volume 29, No. 349 January 1923, American Forestry, contains a splen- did article under the foregoing cap- tion, from the accurate and reliable pen of Dr. R. W. Schufeldt. Many North American Ducks are considered in it. It is illustrated by eleven hair-tone cuts ranging from 3i/^ by 3% inches to full page illustrations. It is truly wonderful what an amount of read- able or reliable scientific information is found in Dr. Schufeldt's publi- tion, and we are proud to list him as a friend and contributor to The Oologist.^ — R. M. Barnes. The Murrelet, State Museum, Uni- versity of Washington, Seattle, Wash- ington, Volume 3^, No. 3, September 1922, of this splendid mimeograph serial, is at hand and there are few if any bird publications that are here which are more welcome. This is a fine bird publication filled with fresh notes direct from the ob- servers in the field. To peruse it gives the readers the real thrill from the wilds. It is not over technical. but its contributors are men of known scientific ability for writing interest- ingly and accurately all things which interest the average ornithologist, and which the ultra-scientific closet natu- ralist seems to have so little interest in.^ — R. M. Barnes. "Transactions of the Academy of Science, St. Louis," XXIV, No. 8. This publication of seventy-seven pages consists of "Extracts of the Diary of Otto Widmann," and covers the following subjects: Nesting habits of the Purple Martin, How young birds are fed. Where the Martins roost. The Crows winter roost at St. Louis, Our birds in winter, The Chimney Swift, Birds of the Ozarks, Reminis- cences of a visit to Branson and White River, spring 1906. This little publication is typically Widmann in its splendid delineation of the bird subjects treated and ac- curacy of statement. It is splendidly gotten up mechan- ically and the contents are up to the best standard. Mr. Widmann and the Society are both entitled to congratu- lations upon this production. — R. M. B. "Annals of the Carnegie Museum," XIV October 1922. This exceedingly well prepared publication of 611 pages relates to "The Birds of the Santa Mar- ta Region of Columbia; being a study in altitudinal destruction by W. E. Clyde Todd, and M. A. Carriker, Jr.," and describes among other things the geographical and physiographic — geo- logical history, climate-population, re- sources, echological conditions of the territory covered and a Historical Review of Santa Marta Ornithology. List of species. North American mi- grants; Life Zones of the region, and a review of the various species en- countered. The latter occupying pages 131-583. The publication is embellish- THE OOLOGIST 195 ed with a number of text illustrations. A map of the region, also five colored plates by George M. Sutton, than whom there are few, if any l)etter bird artists in America. The entire volume is up to the usual standard of the authors, which is equivalent of saying that it could not well be im- proved on. We predict that for years to come this will be the standard book of reference relating to the birds of that region. — R. M. Barnes. Changes and Additions to the A. O. U. Check-List of 1910 By J. Hooper Bowles The readers of "The Oologist," who are not acquainted with the A. O. U. check-list as it stands at present, may well have become somewhat uncertain owing to the discussion in recent numbers of the magazine concerning the new egg catalog. Consequently I will attempt to clear up matters as briefly as possible. When I wrote my letter of July 15. 1922, I had been given the hope that a committee of the A. O. U. might be ap- pointed in the fall to consider the vast number of suggested changes and ad- ditions to our list. For this reason 1 strongly urged that no action should be taken on considering valuations for the very few additions made since 1910, because a vast deal of time would be saved if all the changes could be considered at once. This was taught by experience with the catalog itself. However, no further action having been taken on new additions, etc., at the recent A. O. U. meeting. I am giving herewith all of the ad- ditions made to the 1910 check-list up to date. No eliminations, what- ever, have been made since its publi- cation in 1910, except those given here. lip to date the only additions to the 1910 A. O. U. check-list may be found in the Sixteenth Supplement, which appears in 'The Auk" for July. 1912. They are as follows: 95.1. Puffinus carneipes Gould. Pale-footed Shearwater. 253.1. Totanus totanus (Linnaeus). Redshank. 301c. Lagopus lagopus ungavus Riley. Ungava Ptarmigan. 316a. Zenaidura macroura margin- ella (Woodhouse). Western Mourn- ing Dove. The White-winged Dove is sub- divided into two races: 319. Melopelia asiatica asiatica (Linnaeus). West Indian White- winged Dove. 319a. Melopelia asiatica trudeaui (Audubon). White-winged Dove. 373i. Otus asio gilmani Swavth. Sahuara Screech Owl. 379. Glaucidium gnoma gnoma Wagler. Pygmy Owl. Is found to be entirely extralimital, and the form oc- curing in the United States will be known as: 379. Glaucidium gnoma pinicola Nelson. Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl. 390a. Ceryle alcyon caurina Grin- nell. Northwestern Belted Kingfisher. 393h. Dryobates villosus leucotho- rectis Oberholser. White-breasted Woodpecker. 396. Dryobates scalaris bairdi (Mal- herbe). Texas Woodpecker. Is en- tirely extralimital. The form so named in the check-list will be known as: 396. Dryobates scalaris cactophilus Oberholser. Cactus Woodpecker. 396b. Dyrol)ates scalaris eremicus Oberholser. San Fernando Wood- pecker. 414a. Colaptes chrysoides brunnes- cens Anthony. San Fernando Flicker. 414b. Colaptes chrysoides mearnsi Ridgway. Mearn's Gilded Flicker. 196 THE OOLOGI8T This is the only one found in the United States, 414 and 414a occurring in Lower California. 414b is also found in northern Lower California. 601.1. Emberiza rustica Pallas. Rustic Bunting. 542d. Passerculus sandwichensis nevadensis Grinnell. Nevada Savan- na Sparrow. 741c. Penthestes rufescens vivax Grinnell. Valdez Chestnut-sided Chickadee. 764.1. Calliope calliope camschat- kensis (Gmelin). Greater Kamchat- kan Nightingale. No other species or sub-species have been eliminated, nor any other cancellations been made. The only other changes up to the date of this writing being in the scientific names, which may be found in the Seven- teenth Supplement, printed in "The Auk" for July, 1920. J. Hooper Bowles. Jan. 11, 1923. Australian Nature Studies By J. A. Leach, D. Sc. Organizing'ln- spector of Nature-Study and Senior In- spector of Schools, Victoria, Etc., First Edition. Critcheley Parker, 276 Flind- ers Lane, Melbourne, 1922. 800, bound 500 pp. Col. plates and text illustra- tions. The author had it in view when he undertook the preparation of this volume to supply "A Book of Refer- ence for those interested in Nature Study,' and the task has been most satisfactorily completed. In addition to six full-page colored plates of Aus- tralian birds there are no fewer than 189 text "plates," each one of which varies a number of minor line cuts, some of them as many as thirty. They are run in continuation with the text matter where they occur and are need- ed to illustrate what is set forth in the text. The titles of a few of these will indicate the general character of them and we have for example, "An, Studies" (PI. 102); "Feathers" (PI. 149-14 figs); Eggs of Animals (23 fig- ures PI. 89), and so on. In short there are hundreds of these instruct- ive little cuts, and they very satisfact- orily illustrate what is set forth in the text. The "Table of Contents" gives us to understand that the volume is divided into three parts, viz: Part 1, Plant Life; Part II, Animal Life, and Part 111, General Studies, this last being devoted to Rock Studies; Shore Studies; Lake Studies; Pond Life and the rest. There is a most helpful in- dex at the close of the volume, cover- ing from pages 485 to 501 inclusive, and at its commencement an interest- ing preface. Among the statements made in the latter we read that "As the book was written with a view to helping those interested in the educa- tion of the young, technical terms have been avoided, for there is no room for such in the nature-study of children under 12 years of age." This must not be construed to mean, how- ever, that the book was written for children of that age, for it can be effectually used by those in the high schools and colleges, for Doctor Leach says in his preface further along, that "Having had unusual opportunities and experiences in nature study as teacher, lecturer, organizer and in- spector, in addition to a wide field ac- quaintance with the Australian fauna, flora, and natural features, the author offers this volume as an Australian contribution toward the development of a subject that has assisted in bring- ing reality into schools and interest into the lives of many children as well as adults." Now comes up the question, what THK OOLOaiST 1»7 value will this book have for Ameri- can readers, American schools and American children, and the answer is not far to seek for more than four- fifths of the material described is either actually to be found somewhere in this country, or else something very similar. For example, "The De- velopment of Seeds" is practically the same the world over as is "The Breathing of Plants;" the "Growth of Leaves;" and, indeed, all else our au- thor sets forth in this botanical side of the volume, in fact the entire mat- ter of plant life has been worked out and illustrated in the most satisfact- ory style possible, and it is truly sur- prising to note how many wild plants they have in Australia that are identi- cally the same as those we have in this country. With equal truth this applies to the Sponge Studies ; Corals ; Stinging Animals; Worms; Shells; Crustaceans; Insects; and in fact every department of nature up to and including the Vertebrata, while the same may be said for the admirable chapters on Soils; Water; Lake Studies; Rivers and the physical feat- ures. In fact the book can be most heartily recommended to all nature students in America, including the children in all your public and private schools. R. W. Shufeldt. Washington, D. C. November 20, 1922. NOTES ON KILLDEER IN SOUTH- EASTERN WYOMING Having read Mr. R. M. Lee's notes on the Killdeer in the November issue of The Oologist, I thought ii mi/;ht be of interest to its readers to hear somt-- thing of the nesting ol' that l)ir(! in this section. I sball thcrefori' tell o.' a trip of some 18 miles in length taken on the first of May last. Leaving town at about noon of said date, I followed the course of the rail- road north of Wheatland down what was once known as a sand draw, now known as a seep draw since the time irrigation came into this country. Any of these seeps are favorite re- sorts of the Killdeer, and especially so during the nesting season. Here and there along the draw are large dry sand bars of sand, coarse gravel, and small boulders, where our noisy little friend loves to make his home. In the six miles of seep draw traversed I observed no less than nine nests containing from 3 to 4 eggs each, near- ly all, however, containing 4 eggs as the bird begins nesting in this locality about April 20th and by May first practically all the nests contain their full compliment of eggs. After leav- ing the seep draw, I traversed aboui two miles of river bottom mostly in prairie hay and in the middle of one large meadow about one-fourth mile from water, (in a hoof print in the sod, 1 found another Killdeer's nest with a full compliment of eggs. This particular pair of birds were very quiet in comparison with the noisy birds that I had just left. On return- ing home across more or less cultivat- ed country, I came upon a nest in the center of an alfalfa field some three miles from water at that time but in the course of a few weeks to come within a few feet of water in an irriga- tion lateral. Still another nest was found some three and a half miles from water at the present time but .soon to be near irrigation water. This nest was located on an unplowed rra'rie knoll in the center of an 80 acre rlfalfa field. I have only one in- stance of a breeding record far from water and that in a dry farm cornfield some fifteen miles from the nearest water. However, I do not doubt that the killdeer is a rather common breed- 198 THE OOLOGIST er here far from water as he can be met with during the nesting season in almost any locality. But his favorite nesting place seems to be the seep draws of the irrigation localities. James A. Neilson, Wheatland, Wyoming. HAUNTS AND HABITS OF THE YELLOW RAIL The attention of the readers of The Oologist is called to an advertisement elsewhere in this issue of the maga- zine, in regard to matters germaine to the above title. Inasmuch as this is not a matter of profit with me, but simply of getting into the hands of in- terested ornithologists a most valu- able monograph obtainable only of my- self, I trust the editor of The Oologist will, with his accustomed generosity, give place for what I am here Sbiting down. It has been said of me, by one who knows, that "Mr. Peabody is un- doubtedly the highest, as he is almost the exclusive authority on the breed- ing habits of the Yellow Rail. (His incursions in quest of the nests of this rare bird have given us) one of the outstanding romances" of ornithologi- cal literature. The Annual in which my monograph has been published was an edition of 800 copies only. It reaches a limited clientele of bird students; and I have felt most reluctant that the fascmat- ing account of my twenty years of Yel- low Rail study should fail to reach the hundreds of people that may never see the Annual in question. 1 have therefore taken the great risk of ordering a large number of sepa- rates, for which I have paid a high price, (so great the cost of paper and printing nowadays). In order, event- ually to pay out, on this proposition, 1 am offering copies of the separate. which contains unique photographs, one of these by Norman A. Wood, be- ing the only photograph extant of a live Yellow Rail, for fifty cents each. But, the signed copies thus sent out will contain two inserts of contact prints of rare interest, from negatives too delicate to half-tone well; and al- so a brief note as to the unusual find- ing of 1922. I am also negotiating with wonderful Mr. Brownell, with a view to the securing, from him, of colored contact prints of the exquisite set of 1912 eggs, all capped with ma- hogany and lilac, at the apex. These will cost, I imagine, about fifty cents each, an additional cost all of which will go, of course, to Mr. Brownell. To those that may not care to afford all this additional cost, I will gladly fur- nish an insert, contact print, of this subject, for an added ten cents. The cost of the separates will thus be, fifty and sixty cents, each, prepaid. Inasmuch as no other North Ameri- can bird nests quite like the Yellow Rail, and since a large amount of other fascinating detail other than that germaine to the fugitive bird in question, is contained in my mono- graph. I feel absolutely certain that readers of The Oologist will find my separate very delightful reading. Not because I have compiled it; but be- cause it really is, as has been said, "an outstanding romance." P. B. Peabody. JUST A FEW CHOICE ONES We have recently added to our col- lection a set of Whooping Crane's eggs, taken in North Western Iowa in 1871, by one of the best known collect- ors and naturalists in America, which has always been kept away from the light, moisture and dust and is in a truly splendid condition. Likewise a set of Buffle-head Ducks, and last and not least 1-5 Yellow Rail Specimens of these kinds are not easily acquired. R. M. Barnes. THE OOLOGIST 199 WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO GO? A letter received January 9th from H. Arden Edwards, of Los Angeles, California, a well known member of the Oologist family contains the state- ment among other things: "I am leaving for a two or three years trip in the South Seas." Mr. Edwards goes on a collecting and pleasure trip. He has promised to write occasionally, and if he does we will be glad to divide such experi- ences as he may acquaint us with, with our readers. R. M. Barnes. FURTHER NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VA. In the Oologist of April, 1922 (Vol. 39, pages 62-64) appeared an article by me on birds observed in June, 1921 on and in the vicinity of the plantation of Dr. L. K. Leake, at East Leake, Gooch- land County, Virginia. Again I was fortunate enough to be the guest of Dr. and Mrs. Leake from October 24 to November 7, 1922, and naturally did not overlook the opportunity to in- vestigate the fall birds of that locality. -Vlthough frosts occurred nearly every night, the weather was mild through- out my visit and almost without excep- tion the sun shone in full vigor throughout each day. It was so mild and dry that when the hunting season opened on November 1, I heard uni- versal complaint from the sportsmen at our house, but on the other hand, a Katydid whi(;h I heard at midday on November 3 evidently appreciated the opportunity to prolong its 1922 career. In the former article 1 spoke of 50 species seen; in this 54 are listed, 30 of which are new; thus totaling SO species seen on the two visits. In ad- dition, reference is made to two others reported to me — Wilson's Snipe and Ruffed Grouse. Aside from the James River which bounds Goochland County on the south, the county is poorly supplied with surface water and so the water birds are few in species and individ- uals. The woods, however, are exten- sive, rich in varieties of trees and underbrush. Old fields cover wide areas, but here and there more or less extensive agriculture is being conduct- ed, so that the avifauna of the region exhibits at least an average number of species of land birds. Being fond of persimmons I was pleased to find heavily laden trees scattered all over the region, in the woods, on the main roads, and standing in isolation in old fields. Dr. Leake killed a Woodcock on No- vember 2 and I flushed one a few days before on the edge of a small swamp at one end of the plantation. Andrew, the doctor's young son, told me that he had killed a Wilson's Snipe at this swamp last year. The moon was shin- ing brightly at 9:30 p. m. on Novem- ber 2, when 1 heard a Killdeer in the pasture adjoining the Leake planta- tion. Bob-whites were abundant on and in the vicinity of the plantation, but due perhaps to the excessively dry and rather mild weather I did not see or hear one notwithstanding the dogs accompanied me on nearly every walk until the hunters brought in a few on November 1. Thereafter "partridges" were on the table almost every meal until I left, but I was told that on ac- count of the drought they were rang- ing almost wholly in the thick brush and semi-swampy section and, there- fore, were hard to find and difficult to shoot. Mr. David Leake saw a single Ruffed Grouse on November 1 and Dr. Leake told me that he sees one or two every season, but that they do not increase. On November 1 200 THE OOLOGIST Messrs. Herbert Ragland and Walter Leake each killed a Wild Turkey — a male and female young of the year— and the following day Mr. Richard Harris also killed a male and a female young of the year. I was told of five other Wild Turkeys killed on the 1st in this same territory. It was as- tonishing to find the wary and much sought bird so abundant almost with- in the shadows of Richmond and only half a day's distance from Washing- ton, but it will be remembered that Goochland County is sparsely settled and heavily timbered Over a large area. Mourning Doves were not so abund- ant as I had expected to find them. A flock of about 50 came into the Harris cornfield before I left. In June, 1921 I saw but one member of the Raptorial order in Goochland County — the Turkey Vulture — and in my former article I spoke deploringly of the system of bounties maintained by the county. No doubt these boun- ties have greatly reduced the number of Hawks and Owls in the county, but I am pleased to say that the point of extermination has not yet been reached and let us hope that the au- thorities will realize their folly before it is too late. I am able to record 8 species of the Hawks and Owls ob- served on this visit. Turkey Vultures were quite abundant. I am very sure one or more could have been soaring in the air at any moment during the hours of daylight on each day I was there. Of the Marsh, Sharp-shinned, and Cooper's Hawks, one individual of each species was seen, while of the Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks two of each were observed. They were all very shy as would be expected. Near the end of ray visit 1 heard both the Barred and Screech Owls in the woods back of the house and was told that the former is fairly numerous in that section and I am sure that the latter must be also as all the conditions favorable to its necessities are there. The Woodpeckers were represented by six species, among them the hand- some, dashing Pileated, which was fairly numerous. Often during each day I hear their loud, resonant tap- ping on the largest and tallest trees in the woodlands. Here they are called "Log-cocks." I have no doubt that they could be found nesting in these woods in the spring. Both the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers were seen but only one of each. Red- bellied Woodpeckers and Flickers were in fair abundance and near the end of my visit I saw one Yellow- bellied Sapsucker. As I saw no Red- headed Woodpeckers on the previous visit and none on this, I must believe that they are of rare occurrence in this region, and this is strange for all the conditions which would seem to be requisite for their existence and happiness are present. In the former article I spoke of Swifts that inhabited the office chim- ney near the house. They were there again the past summer but had depart- ed for the South before I reached East Leake. Their nest had fallen down to the hearth and had been preserved by one of the Leake family who ex- hibited it to me. It was unique in that it was composed exclusively of dry pine needles, glued together, of course, by the birds' customary mucilaginous saliva. Twigs of many species of trees were available in close prox- imity to the chimney but evidently these Swifts had discovered that pine needles make a very compact, sym- metrical and artistic nest and have advantage over the crooked and twist- ed twigs usually employed. I think they were quite clever in their choice of nesting materials. THE OOLOGIST 201 The North is no place for a Fly- catcher in winter. Nevertheless a pair of Phoebes was still lingering around the cow shed on the Leake plantation when I left on November 7, and An- drew told me that a pair, very likely this same one, had spent the entire previous winter at and around this shed. I often heard them chirp their familiar "phoebe" just as they do in the spring, but not quite so vivacious- ly. Blue Jays were quite abundant and seemed to delight in leisurely aerial excursions across the fields from one woodland to another, sometimes singly and at others in squads of three or more. A beechnut tree in the Harris yard was literally alive with Jays throughout my visit. A flock of up- wards of 75 Crows loitered each day somewhere around the plantation and in the vicinity. They were often in the Harris cornfield, one or more sit- ting for a time on the top of corn stubble. They were proclaimed an in- sufferable nuisance by the farmers with whom I talked. Starlings have established them- selves at East Leake. A flock of 15 or more was seen from time to time dur- ing my visit. Meadowlarks were now in flock and could be heard at intervals on thu warmer days singing as they do in spring, though not so persistently. A flock of Purple Crackles was seen sev- eral times. Some Cowbirds were seen following the cattle around the Harris pasture on several occasions when I passed by. A flock of Red-winged Blackbirds was seen. On the porch oi! one of the farmers who had collected it I saw a dry and withered branch of a hickory tree containing a last sum- mer's nest of the Orchard Oriole. 1 mention this as I believe this bird rarely nests in hickories. I may add that two winters ago I found an old nest of the Orchard Oriole in a per- simmon tree in Leon County, Florida. About midday on October 30 I heard the exquisite little song of the Purple Finch and searching for the author discovered it sitting on the topmost branch of a large oak tree bordering on the main road. Afterwards 1 saw several others. Chipping Sparrows were remarkably abundant. I was in- terested in the fact that in an elm tree in front of the Leake home a Chipping Sparrow had built its nest during the summer 35 feet from the ground. Juncos were quite abundant and 1 ob- served that they sometimes utter notes hardly distinguishable from the single lisping or clucking notes of the- Brown Thrasher. White-throated Spar- rows were also abundant and 1 found Song Sparrows wherever there were hedges and brush. I was pleased to see a number of Swamp Sparrows down in the small swamp at one edge of the plantation. Several Towhees, Cardinals and Goldfinches were seen each day while I was there. On Oc- tober 30 1 saw several Savanna Spar- rows in the Harris pasture. Of course, English Sparrows were established around the barns and other buildings in this region. Several flocks of Cedar Waxwings were present during my visit and 1 was entertained several times by watching them swing sometimes at the ends of depending wild grape vines eating the grapes thereon. 1 saw but one Migrant Shrike. This bird could be seen almost any time uf the day perched on a telephone wire along the road running through the Harris plantation. He must have had a very restricted range as I always saw him within a few feet of the place where he had been seen previously. I was surprised to see any Vireo, but early on the morning of October 26 1 discovered two Solitary or Blue-head- 202 THE OOLOGIST ed Vireos, possibly mates, in the wil- low trees along a stream running through the Leake pasture. I watched them through my glasses for at least twenty minutes. Now and then they sang a very sweet little song much like that of the Red-eyed Vireo but more subdued. There were several other species and numerous individ- uals congregated in these willows and nearby trees and underbrush at the same time that I observed the Vireos. They all seemed to be animated by the migration 'n<5tinct, though some of the Sparrows no doubt will remain in that locality throughout the winter. Of the Warblers only the Myrtle was seen and it was very abundant. I was deceived for a few moments one after- noon when I saw several small birds in the distance sallying forth from the top branches of some poplar tree in the manner of Flycatchers. I dis- covered that they were Myrtle Warb- lers. 1 heard Pipits only once. Mockingbirds were common. I was much pleased to find the Caro- lina Wren in fair abundance. On sev- eral mornings one or more of them de- lighted my ears just outside of the windows of my bedroom with their, to me, wild and charming "chiteree, chiteree, chiteree, chit." One of the most interesting dis- coveries made during my visit was the presence of Brown-headed Nuthatches. I saw and heard three in the pine and oak woods back of the Leake resi- dence. This must be very nearly if not quite the northernmost range of this species. Several White-breasted Nuthatches were around the planta- tion at all times. Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Tit- mice were nearly always to be seen. Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets were in the woods during the early hours of morning, the latter literally in enormous abundance; they were very nearly as abundant as I once found the Ruby-crowned King- lets in the hammock near the Gulf of Mexico in Wakulla County, Florida. Robins and Bluebirds were abundant, the latter sometimes feeding on the berries of the dogwood trees. I heard a Hermit Thrush on October 28. My visit was extremely pleasant in every way. There were many things aside from birds to engage my atten- tion and interest. For instance, I found only one red squirrel thus in- dicating that this species is not at all abundant in this section. One of the pleasantest features of my visit was a bountiful stag supper given me and other visitors at the Leake home by Messrs. David and Richard Harris, bachelors who have followed the ag- ricultural profession on their planta- tion for about fifty years. The sup- per was served very tastefully by old aunt Martha, a negro servant of ante- bellum accomplishments, who has been with the Harrises for fifty years. I have never seen Quail cooked and served so deliciously as they were at this supper. The table was actually groaning from variety and abundance of good things to eat, practicaly all produced on this plantation. Robert W. Williams, Washington, D. C. THE OOLOGIST 208 204 THE OOLOGIST KGGS Will Exchange personally taken Florida sets for books. Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. FOR SALE for Cash — New Jersey Minerals. Mica, Magnetic Iron Ore, Iris porpliyry, feldspar, hematite, pec- tolite and many others. Also Paleozoic fossils. Excellent cabinet specimens. Louis S. Kohler, R. F. D. No. 2, Pater- son. N. J. TO EXCHANGE — One King Trom- iDone, Silver plated Gold bell. Highland low pitch, new in case. For first class sets. E. A. Wheeler, E. Randolph, N. Y. FOR SALE — Ornithologist and Oolo- gist. Vol. VIII to XVIII inclusive; Bul- letin Cooper Club, Vol. I, 1-2-5; Condor, Vols. Ill and IV complete; Osprey com- plete file excepting 2 numbers, Vol. I, and 3 numbers of N. S. Bent's Life His- tories of N. A. Gulls and Terns. Many odd numhbers of various Ornithologi- cal Magazines. H. H. Johnson, Pitts- field, Maine. FOR SALE for Cash — Bulletin Coop- er Club & Condor, Volumes 1 to 6 in- clusive, complete, except No. 6, Vol. 1. Oologist, Vol. XI, (1894) complete; Vol. X (1893) complete, except April, July and November. W. B. Sampson, 1005 North Wan Joaquin St., Stockton, Cal. Nor'.h America, bound in library buck- ram, 59 colored illustrations by Fuer- tes. Also bound 1916 Bird-Lore. Fred J. Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa. FOR SALE— Skins and Mounted Specimen of Skunk, Civit Cat, Opossum, Horned Frogs, Jack Rabbitt, Swamp Rabbit, Armodillas and Squirrels. Ra- mon Graham, Box 215 Poly, Ft. Worth, Texas. WANTED — Baird's and Bachman's Sparrows and any of the Longspurs from original collectors in full A-1 sets. Bonus in A-1 material given in exchange. H. W. Carriger, 5185 Trask Strj;et^ Oakland, Calif. _ BUTTERFLIES— Just received a new sliipment of South American butterflies in papers unnamed, consisting of Papi- lios Heliconias Catsopilias Calagram- mas, etc., wliich I will sell in lots of 25 mixed for $5.00 post paid. Each lot contains one Morplio cypres, one of the most brilliant of Soutli American but- terflies; dealers charge $2.50 to $3.50 for the specie alone. A. J. Potter, East Killingly. Conn. l-3t FOR EXCHANGE— A-1 sets 261, 273, 305, 308b, 331, 367 and others for well mounted specimens of 327. 331, 332, 333, 337, 337a, 342, 343. Also have finely mounted 334 will exchange for some of tlie above. Elmer Langevin, Crooks- ton. Minnesota. FOR SALE or Exchange — Mounted Birds, Skins, and Eggs in sets and singles. Jesse T. Craven, 5315 Roose- velt Ave., Detroit, Michigan. l-2t WANTED — Bent's Diving Birds For Sale — Nelson's Smaller Mammal? of FOR SALE — Ridi^waT^ ^'Bir~ds of Middle and North America." Vol. 4 & 5 (half leather). Vol. 6. 7 & S, (Paper). Theodore R. Greer, Aledo, Illinois. EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two hundred pages, well illus- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Oology. It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A history of this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illus- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustrations showing proper cabinet arrangements of specimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five on prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Birds and Prices adopted for the exchange of specimens of eggs of each 11. Advertise- ments. No Oologist can afford to be without this work in his library. The isaue is limited to 500 copies, all of which are rapidly being exhausted. Paper bound copies $1.00. Cloth bound copies $2.00. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. THE OOLOGIST A GOOD RESOLUTION SUBSCRIBE FOR 192 3 THE OOLOGIST THE « ♦ » WILSON BULLETIN A Biboliograph of scarce or out of A ftUARTEKLiY JOURNAL, OF ORNITHOLOGY print, North American Amateur and Paying particular attention to Fieirt Studies of Birds in Middle Trade Periodicals, devoted more or North America. Now in its 28th year. -, , I J.+ less to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- 64 pag-es or more of readable matter "'*=' "•" """ a'- " "^ with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. . r^ • «,- ^1.50 per year, 40 cts. per copy. arate publications. Price 25 cents. Official Organ of y^g R. M. BARNES. WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Lacon, III. Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, , ^^ 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. The Oologist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDBRMY Vol. XL. No. 2. ALBION, N. Y., Feb., 1923. WaoLB No. 430 THE OOLOGIST nRiRP SPECIAL AKWOUNOBlinfrT* . . -r «^«.- -Piio.l for less than 25 cents NO notice in- ; 77 rm nocfs pees or mounted speciraena of North Ani«r- We will advertise the ^kii^s nests_ eggs or mo^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^ n Birds for .=^ale for persons having a K^^^ tui a i y^^. ^^ ^^^e bona nde These columns are tor the us<_ oi wi » „,,rT,o«eB only.— BJDITOR. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — Butter- llies of New England for California Butterflies. T. Love, Collector, 105 G r o V e , Lynn, Mass. ~].^0 R SALE or EXCHANGE for Eggs — Birds of Eastern Canada — Taverner; Birds of New York, two vols. — Eaton; Birds of a Maryland Farm — Judd; Com- parative Oology of N. A. Birds — Schu- feldt; Book of Birds, 250 col. plates — Henshaw; Catalog of Birds of Kansas — Goss; History of Birds of Kansas^ — Goss; Check list of Birds of New York — Farr; Birds of South Dakota — Over and Thoms; Key to Land Mammals of northeastern N. A. — Miller; Catalog of Birds of Kansas with description of nests and eggs — Goss; Raptorial Birds of Iowa; A Portfolio of 106 col. plates of Birds of Fuertes. Lieut. L. R. Wolfe, 26th U. S. Infantry, Plattsburg, N. Y. I have for EXCHANGE sets of eggs of the following species, A. O. U. Nos.: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 32, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 51, 53, 54. 58. 59, 63, 65, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 80, 81, 81.1, 83, 86, 86a, 104, 106, 107, 114, 114.1, 115, 115.1, 117, 120, 125, 127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 150, 160, 167, 169, 172, 172a, 172c, 174, 178, 179, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 192, 194, 194b, 196, 199. R. M. ^^r^f I!]^r^^'men^'^r"3cigtin7 collectiVrg-^rp^eB- only-BDITOR. D^T\ — BLANKS— I will print 500 Standard Data Blanks with your name on them for $1.50 Postpaid. EdwadS. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Massachusetts. -mt„„c FOR SALE — Birds and Nature Maga- zine bound in double volume-s as fol- lows- 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 13-14, and volume 11 single. Covers slightly worn but in good second-hand condition. T\ rite W. H. Over, Vermillion. So. Dakota. ^-a " T have some 5000 Indian Relics, most- ly arrows, a few tomahawks, etc., I will exchange for Mounted Specimens -r bird eggs, or will sell same for cash. C. E. Pilquist, Dardanelle, Ark. FOR SALE — Large collection of birds' eggs and nests, mounted birds, shells, corals, sea curios, minerals, carvings, nuts. Ceramics and Indian curios. Must dispose of same at once. H. E. Lutman, Painted Post, N._Y.^ WANTED — Back numbers of Orni- tliological magazines, especially Condor, also any books on Ornithology or Tax- idermy. Egg cabinet also wanted. Write', giving prices. James Suthard, Madisonville. Kentucky. " WANTED to hear from collectors liaving sets of eggs or Bird Skins to dispose of. Cash or exchange. C. F. Pahrman, 1011 Fourth St., La Porte, Ind. Barnes, Lacon, 111. JOHN LORANG, Genesee, Idaho. Col- lector of Idaho Birds eggs, also Bird and Animal Skins for mounting pur- roses. For sale or exchange. A black Squirrel Skin Mounted. FOR SALE— Auk, 1918 and 1920, vol- umes complete, $1.50 each, prepaid. Wilson bulletin, 1920 volume, 90c. Bi- ological Bulletin 17 and 39 also. Fred Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa. In addition to eggs In sets I am making a cosmopolitan collection of singles. Must have accurate data thor- oughly identified. Offer skins, eggs, or cash. A. W. Hanaford, R. R. 9, Box 1210. Los Angeles, Cal. "Beginners Luck" — A collection of 75 varieties, eggs in sets, at a bargain. Common and not common; a good start for a collector. Also a Woodpecker and sapsucker, group of fifteen varie- ties, very reasonable. Send for lists and prices. Fred Dille, Valentine. Nebr. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE— After two years and a half In storage, I have now unpacked my library, bird and mammal collections, and have for sale many duplicate books and O. & O. pub- lications. Also will exchange bird and mammal skins from this section and sets of raptors, finches and Jays. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach, Zoo'l Park and Museum of Natural History Miami Beach, Florida. Get a CATALOG Before they are All Gone They are going hery fast. Less than 100 copies are left. The OoLOGiST. Vol. XL. No.2. Albion, N. Y., Feb., 1923. Whole No. 430 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. BAR\ES, Albion, IV, Y., and Lacon, 111. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expires with this issue. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1S79. Photo of Nest and Kksk of Loon taken June 9. 1921. on floating ho^;. in C'ran- berry Lake, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., by Ernest G. Tabor, of Meridian, N. Y. 22 THE OOLOGIST The Starling. The European Starling is showing up In small flocks throughout our state and to such an extent that it promises to become a menace to the interest of our farmers and fruit grow- ers. I have heard within the last two or three weeks of not less than a dozen flocks of this bird, and I presume it would be safe to say that there are fully hundreds of these flocks in as many localities of the state. In Or- leans County they were reported to me as a new species of the Martin. From Wyoming County the press re- ports large flocks of "black birds," citing the same as an early harbinger of spring. Here at Albany a flock of eight "Robins" has been seen. This situation prevails to a greater or less extent throughout the state. In each instance, when followed up, the "Mar- tins," "Black Birds" and "Robins" have proven to be the Starling. I wrote Short in relation to the same about two weeks since and am compiling a little material to present to the State Fruit Growers at their annual meeting in Poughkeepsie, the latter part of the month. Frank H. Lattin, Albany, N. Y. * * 9 THE STARLING. Sturnus Vulgaris Linnaeus. Eaton's Birds of New York. Description: Shaped somewhat like the Meadow- lark, but with a relatively longer bill and shorter tail; general color black, glossed with iridescent purple and greenish, spotted with buff or brown- ish white; bill yellow; winter plumage with the brownish or buffy of the upper and under parts mostly obscur- ing the greenish and purple. Sexes almost alike. Female slightly more spotted below; young plain grayish- brown. Length 8i^ inches. Distribution: The Starling is a native of Western and Central Europe, wintering mostly in Southern Europe or Northern Af- rica, now introduced in the vicinity of New York City. The birds were lib- erated by Mr. Eugene Schieffelin in 1890 in Central Park. They undoubt- edly will continue to spread up the Hudson Valley and throughout the state if not throughout the country, unless their advance is artificially checked. They are largely frugivorous, being particularly destructive to cherries, currents, berries, and other small fruits, and doubtless would become a veritable pest in the grape regions of central and western New York, if they ever became abundant in those localities. The Starlings are more closely gre- garious than the Meadowlarks, the flocks frequently appearing as dense as flocks of Rice Birds. In England and Northern Europe the "clouds of Starlings" are justly famous, some- times practically darkening the sky and appearing in the distance like great storm clouds drifting over the country. Colllnge — Manual of Injurious Insects. Starling — Distinctly the farmer's friend, but when allowed to increase duly they become equally injurious. In almost every country they require thinning out annually. Saunders — British Birds. The Starling feeds principally upon worms, slugs, small molluscs, insects and their larvae; it also eats voles, the young and eggs of other birds, cultivated fruit and wild berries. Newton — Dictionary of Birds. The Starling is about the size of a Thrush, and though at a distance it appears to be black, when near at hand its plumage is seen to be brightly THE OOLOGIST 28 shot with purple, green and steel-blue, most of the feathers when freshly grown being tipped with buff. These markings wear off in the course of the winter, and in the breeding season the bird is almost spotless. The worst that can be said of the Starling is that it occasionally pilfers fruit. The congregations of Starlings are indeed very marvelous, and no less than the aerial evolutions of the flocks, chiefly to settling for the night, have attracted attention from early times, being mentioned by Pliny. The extraordinary precision with which the crowd, often numbering several hun- dreds, not to say thousands, of birds, wheels, closes, opens out, rises and descends, as if the whole body were a single living thing — all these move- ments being executed without a note or cry being uttered — must be seen to be appreciated, and may be seen repeatedly with pleasure. * * u The Starling. The Starling, as far as reported to me, have invaded New York State along two routes. First, from the original Long Island colony up the Hudson Valley to above Newburg at last advice; second, across New Jersey and up through eastern Pennsylvania by way of Broome, Steuben, Yates and Ontario counties clear to Lake Ontario. Thir- teen pairs were bred in Yates County in 1921, probably more. Sixty spent a month to six weeks in Monroe County, west of Rochester, from No- vember, 1921, to January 15, 1922. Two hundred pair bred here (Chili, Monroe County) last spring, where 1 could keep them under observation. None here now, evidently too severe weather. From the agriculturists' stand I consider them about on a par with the Crackle (Crow Blackbird) with these noted exceptions: As far as I know they do not pull corn and they will peck holes in tops of cabbage heads late in the season. Like the Crackle during the nesting season, they prob- ably, I would even say certainly, do more good than harm. Their harmful career begins after mid-July, when they become gregari- ous and damage grain, fruit and even vegetables. In this stage they are worse than the Crackle and stay in- definitely as the season is open enough for them. They attack the later berries, plums (ruining the Japanese varieties. Red June, Worden, Burbank, etc., if left alone) and will peck (and ruin for anything but drying stock or cider) the red faces of apples of at least these varieties: Duchess, St. Law- rence, Twenty Ounce, Baldwin and probably others. They do not damage Creenings materially as far as I can see and I could not detect any of their work on Blush, Pippins or Russets or Talman's. The summer varieties generally rot when pecked. Most of the Baldwins heal up, but the black, dry and irregular scars spoil them for packing. I have not in reach for observation bearing trees of the newer fall va- rieties such as Wealthy, Gravenstein, etc. If you wish further amplification on these points, I will try to fill the bill. I am not sure what the young are fed on, but as they appear to get it from the ground in meadows and pas- tures, I judge it is of an insect nature. So far have noticed no damage to cherries. Later— January, 29, 1923. Just mailed you re-Starling, and on my way home saw fourteen in a Spy tree tearing rotten apples open, pre- 24 THE OOLOGIST sumably for the seeds— thermometer 18 degrees and snowing. Evidently they are getting acclimated. Ernest R. Short. Our Loon Plate. Am enclosing a photo taken by my- self of the nest and eggs of the Loon on a floating "cranberry bog," or small island in the south inlet of Cranberry Lake, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., on June 9th, 1921. The picture is taken from the boat, as it was some 20 or 30 rods from the shore to this bog, and could do no other way than work from the boat. Trusting it may interest you, I am sending a print of it to you. E. G. Tabor, Meridian, N. Y. Entitled to Credit. Attention is just called to the fact that the article entitled "The Dis- covery of the Breeding of the White Ibis in South Carolina," appearing in a late issue of the Oologist, was writ- ten by Mr. Alexander Sprunt, Jr., under a misapprehension. All of the facts and circumstances therein are both true and accurate; however, it was Arthur T. Wayne, Charleston, South Carolina, who first made this interesting discovery, and who had written an article on the subject, but the article he wrote did not get into print as early as Mr. Sprunt's article, through no fault of either Mr. Wayne or Mr. Sprunt. R. M. Barnes. Passed On. A letter from our old friend Frank I. Harris, of LaCrescent, Minn., brings the sad news of the passing of Whit- field Harrison, pioneer resident of LaCrescent, Minn., who died at that place January 22nd. He was born in England, November 15th, 1854, came to LaCrescent from his native land at the age of 16 years, and has resided there ever since. Mr. Harrison during all his years of residence was a well known student of Natural History, and a collector of North American Oology. Many writings of his will be found published in the amateur bird maga- zines of twenty and thirty years ago. He leaves a widow and one daughter and in his passing our friend Harris loses a neighbor and an associate of more than fifty years, with whom he made numerable hunting and fishing trips. It was our pleasure some years ago at LaCrescent to be entertained at his home, and he and his wife, a more charming couple it would be hard to find.— R. M. B. They Are Never Cured. A letter from Frank H. Lattin, founder of The Oologist, and now and for many years past, a Member of the General Assembly of the State of New York, advising us of the receipt by him of a letter from one of his former subscribers, reading in part as follows: "About twenty-five years ago 1 used to read a magazine. The Oologist, pub- lished by you; if it is still published, or if you are still interested in birds, etc., send me such literature as you have. I want my son to become a student of nature and out-of-doors things, also." Mr. Lattin adds that during the past two weeks he received five applica- tions for catalogues and price lists of specimens and supplies. Four of these came from the older boys of twenty- five or more years ago, two of whom he had not heard from for some twen- ty-five or thirty years. All of which shows that when once inoculated the true Oologist never recovers. — R. M. B. THE OOLOGIST 25 THE COWBIRD. By H. H. Johnson, Pittsfield, Me. Those who succeed in taming the wild bird, experience a certain amount of pleasure in the confidence it shows in coming to be fed. One can but feel even greater pleasure in the same amount of tameness and confidence shown by a wild, free bird, who coming when food is plenty, is not hujiger tamed. I have always tried to encourage the birds to use my farm as a summer home, especially to nest around the house. Since the year 1921 is typical of other years, I will enumerate those who nested in the immediate vicinity. The Phoebe nested aboi^e the door of the ell, a pair of Tree Swallows in a nest box situated about six feet from the home of the Phoebe. A Bluebird occupied a hole made by a mortise in one of the supporting posts of the shed, this nest being about six feet from the ground. The Barn Swallows, as usual, had many nests in the barn. A Robin built a nest and reared a brood inside my workshop, the House Sparrow made use of one of the boxes placed on the house for the Swallows. Chimney Swifts had nests in two of the three . chimneys. Besides these already named there were nests of the Flicker, Kingbird, and Chipping Sparrow in the apple trees around about the house. Nests of the Song and Savanna Sparrows, Grass Finch and the Bobolink, a second pair of Tree Swallows and Bluebirds, all situ- ated within a eight-rod circle of the buildings. There were other nests, such as the Yellow Warbler, Red-wing Blackbird and Kingbirds on the banks of the river some fifty rods distant.. When I was about one-half way through with my haying this summer (1921), there appeared on the field a female Cowbird. At first I thought it to be harmed in some way and unable to fly and thus keep out of the way, but upon trying to catch the bird I found it was not. Although she would not allow one to catch her, the bird would at once return to where I was at work load- ing hay when pursuit was stopped. It was my thought that at the end of the day the Cowbird would depart and I would see it no more, but no, the next day there she was bright and early, ready to do her part in the haying operations, and for many days there after, or until the haying was finished she was my companion in the field. Both in the forenoon and atter- noon, taking part in the various oper- ations of cutting, curing and hauling in of the crop. She became such a constant attendant that we named her "The Boss." She usually appeared in the morning when I made ready to go to the field and would follow as 1 proceeded to the place of operations for that day. In changing from one field to another, as I often did in my haying, I would sometimes commence work in the morning one-half mile distant from where I ceased the pre- vious afternoon, but regardless of the place the Cowbird would appear at the new field, showing that she must have been watching for me. The Cowbird would follow me as 1 made the rounds of the field, allowing me to get but a short distance ahead, then flying to catch up; often she would alight just ahead of the cutter- bar, obliging me to keep constant watch lest she be cut by the machine; then I would have to bring the team to a quick halt and drive her out of the standing grass. Sometimes in- stead of alighting on the ground she would perch on the back of one of the team and take a short ride. 26 THE OOLOGIST As the field of standing grass be- came narrow she would fly across, alighting just ahead of the horses, and being nearly stepped upon, for she showed no sign of fear of either the team or clash and clatter of the mow- ing machine. It was the work of hauling in of the crop that the Cowbird appeared to take the most pleasure; there was more stops and we were not constantly moving away; then she had a chance to be near (under foot), and if the day be especially bright and hot she would rest underneath the load in the shade; there I would pass her grasshoppers to eat from off the fork tine. Often I would have to drive her off a bunch of hay before I could place it on the cart. She would follow the load of hay nearly to the barn, there await the unloading. In going to the field to load again the Cowbird would make short flights to keep up, sometimes even alighting on the cart for a rest. The reader has no doubt decided that the cause of the Cowbird's attach- ment to us during our haying oper- ations was the chance to catch the bugs and grasshoppers we distiirbed, and while the bird did catch and eat many such, yet he should also remem- ber that there were just as many in other fields that had been cut over, where we were not working; there- fore this tameness was not caused by hunger. What became of this Cowbird 1 do not know — since after cutting the hay on the home place I commenced on another several miles distant and thus lost sight of her. Food habits— The habit of the Cow- bird feeding among cattle, usually close to the head is well known by most observers. Their food consists of seeds, grains, berries and insects; grasshoppers, grubs and worms are eaten in large quantities. The grains eaten are loose or waste grains; they do not destroy growing grains. As mentioned above, the Cowbird which attended me through the haying season, would eat grasshoppers until it could hold no more, but as digestion progressed it was soon up and at them again. Judd includes the Cowbird among those most actively engaged in consuming weed seed; also included among which are the least injurious to crops. Beal in his summary of the results of the examinations of 544 stomachs of the Cowbird reports that 20 per cent, of the Cowbird's food consists of insects which are either harmful or annoying; 16 per cent, is grain, the certainty of one-half being waste. More than 50 per cent consists of nox- ious weed seeds, the destruction of which is a benefit. Breeding habits — How many eggs does a cowbird lay? Who knows? Here is a chance for our Ornitholog- ical scientist to earn fame for himself without making two Cowbirds grow where only one grew before. In- stances are known of seven eggs of the Cowbird being found in one nest, but whether they were deposited by one female is not known. Bendire sets the number that might be the produc- tion of one female at 60 to 100, but has no proof. Bendire also cites the nests of some 90 species in which the eggs of the Cowbird have been found. The Cowbird lays its eggs in nearly all of the smaller birds' nests; in this locality preference being for those of the Yellow Warbler and Red- eyed Vireo. The Cowbird will some- times throw out the eggs of the right- ful owner to make room for its own. Eifrig— Auk Vol. XXXVI— reports finding Cowbirds' eggs in the nests of the Meadowlark; one nest containing two of the Cowbird and four of the THE OOLOGIST 27 Meadowlark outside of nest. This is one of the largest birds whose nest is used to deposit its eggs by the Cowbird. The Baywinged Cow- bird occasionally builds a nest of its own, incubates its own eggs and cares for its young as any respectable Dird ought. A good description of the nest- ing habits of the Cowbird is given by Coues in his "Birds of the Northwesi," page 185, to which I would refer the reader. Mating habits — The Cowbird is per- haps the only species of the Avian family which practices polyandry, caused no doubt by the fact that the males far outnumber the females. Nearly everyone who writes of the Cowbird has little to say of its good in the bird world; fault is found with its gross and confirmed habit of using other bird's nests as a home and al- lowing some other bird to act as a wet nurse for its children. Yet this "black sheep" has some good points; it is not all bad; it is all in the point of view. CALIFORNIA OBSERVATIONS. During the season of the spring and summer of 1922 we, the family and myself, made many trips through the country surrounding Tulare, Cali- fornia, for a radius of about thirty miles. Starting out in April we covered the country west of town first, then later we took trips through other parts and on one occasion went onto the plains west of Kings River, in Kings County. Early trips were more for observa- tion than anything else, but we picked up a set or two of California Shrike, and an early Red Shafted Flicker, also a set of California Jay, which had been deposited before the willow tree in which the nest was located was in leaf. On this same trip we were digging after the nest of a Burrowing Owl, or as we know him locally, "Billy Owl," and as the children were returning from a nearby stream where they had been prospecting, Flossie found the nest of a Kill Deer out in the open field. Among the willow trees in Cross Creek and about 75 yards from the main traveled road we found a colony of Black Crowned Night Herons which contained many nests, and we took perfectly fresh eggs from these same nests on two different trips, proving that this family raised at least two broods in this locality this season. Our visits were just two weeks apart, and on the second there were no sign of young, only egg shells where they had hatched out. West of here, about 15 miles from Tulare, there is a piece of overflow land and several trips to this place were productive of much enjoyment, as there were several kinds of water birds, and among them the noisy Black Tern and Black Necked Stilt. As we would near the pond they would set up a cry that seemed to us could be heard for a mile, and this was incessant until we had departed, after rambling around their abode for a while. Here we saw Mallard Ducks, one pair of Yellow-Headed Blackbirds, Black Tern, Black Necked Stilts, Coots, Pied Billed Grebe, and the ever present Kill Deer, and on one visit a Spotted Sand Piper, also many San Diegan Red-wing Black- l)irds. The pond in one place was spotted with the nests of the Black Tern, quaint little bunches of grasses and offal, floating on the water, and surmounted by the unvarying quota of three darkly spotted eggs. On a visit to the before mentioned Cross Creek on April 22 we found the nest of an Arkansas Goldfinch ready for occupancy, but it contained noth- ing, and we must have been viewed THE OOL.OGIST with trepidatiou, for another visit later disclosed the fact that the nest was deserted. Another nest of this aame species in a plum tree in our back yard, about 25 feet from the house, was filled with four beautiful eggs, and the mother could be seen from the ground on the nest. One day we missed her, and as the nest was not occupied again we concluded that some cat must have taken her from the nest. Eventually the eggs disap- peared, but we could find no trace of shells. This season we found two nests which were the "lowest down" of any of these varieties we have ever found. One was that of an American Crow, built in a button willow tree about ten feet from the ground, in a field prob- ably a mile from the nearest house. The other was that of a Western Red Tail, built in a paradise tree, which stood in a field along side of several others, and this nest was about 15 feet up. During our rambles we discovered the first Baltimore Oriole on April 19. These beautifully colored members of our birdland nest in this vicinity, usu- ally in colonies in cottonwood or pop- lar trees, though another favorite place is the willows that border our irrigation ditches or an old deserted orchard. They invariably hang their neatly woven nest of horsehair on the outmost and frailest limbs that they can find. About April 2.3d we found the nesL of a Wren, ready for the lining. This was situated in a cavity in a large willow tree where a big limb had been blown off in times gone by, and this had rotted and the heart of the limb had been cleaned out after rotting, making an ideal place for such a fam- ily, having a nice roomy abode inside with a small opening, the only draw- back being its proximity to the ground. being situated not more than three or three and a half feet from the ground. About this same time, on this same stream, we found the nest of a West- ern Bluebird in an old Woodpecker hole in a willow tree, about nine feet from the ground. It is about this time that the Road Runner starts housekeeping, also, and we found on this same trip a nest just completed, and containing one egg. It was built on an old fallen tree, and was only about five feet up, in a fork of a limb projecting from the fallen tree. This bird is frequently seen around here on the open country stretches, but does not come in near the more thickly settled parts. It makes a pretty sight when it gets a start ahead of you in the road and leads off. When you crowd it too closely with a machine it will sud- denly turn into a field, and throwing its tail up in the wind, make a quick stop, raising the feathers on top of its head while it views its follower with curiosity. They are not very wild as no one ever molests them. During the past summer we have observed here the following birds, which are listed as we saw them, and not in the order in which the cata- logue is made up: Mocking Bird, Western Meadowlark, Mourning Dove, English Sparrow, Bullock's Oriole, California Shrike, Barn Swallow, Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Burrowing Owl, Brewers Blackbird, Cow Bird, Red- wing Blackbird, Yellow Headed Black- bird, Western Red Tail Hawk, Black Crowned Night Heron, Great Blue Heron, California Jay, Crow, Willow Goldfinch, Arkansas Goldfinch, House Finch, Western Bluebird, Lazuli Bunt- ing, Road Runner, Red Shafted Flicker, Arkansas Kingbird, Kingbird, Western Horned Lark, Screech Owl. Sparrow Hawk, Coot, Canvas Back Duck, Mallard Duck, Black Necked THE OOLOGIST 2ff Stilt, Black Tern, Common Teal, Kill Deer, Sandpiper, Western Wren, Tow- hee, Western Magpie, Kingfisher, Pied Billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, and this winter we were honored one noon by having a party of about twenty Jun- coes for dinner in our back yard as they passed through. Ren M. Lee. Tulare. Calif. European Starling Appears. I first saw the European Starling in April, 1922. It attracted my attention by its whistled note, and then I saw it fly straight across the garden and swoop into a sweet apple tree. Its plumage looked dark gray to me, and I noticed it had a short tail and white bill. All together I realized a stranger had appeared in our midst. It came a number of mornings, always alone and repeating its whistled note. Last fall a number of dark birds gathered from time to time in the top of tall locust trees lining our streets and we called them Blackbirds. Cold weather came on and still we noticed these birds. All through December they continued to congregate there and fill the air with their calls, two or three times a day. On the 12th of January, 1923, I counted thirty, and a short time after the flock left the locust and came into the sweet apple tree, where the lone Starling first appeared in April. Here they feasted a few minutes on frozen rotten fruit. At close range they looked like young Robins. Their breasts bro^n, striped with cream color; head and shoulders of male dark, with tails rather short and bills conspicuously white. In size, a little larger than the English sparrow. They proved to be thirty Starling instead of thirty Black- birds. We are told that these birds vvrrf; introduced into New York a number of years ago, and the range of their spreading has been watched by the ornithologists, and our governmental surveyors at Washington, D. C. In a bulletin issued by the Bureau of Biological Survey in 1913, of "Fifty Common Birds of Farm and Orchard," with color plates of each, the Starling is not mentioned. Chester A. Reed, curator in orni- thology, Worcester Natural History Society, in Bird Guide of 1915, says: "They are spreading to other localities in Connecticut and about New York City." In answer to my report on them to the Bureau of Biological Survey, Washington, D. C, the acting chief replied: "From your description of the bird and its habits we have no hes- itancy in saying that it is the Euro- pean Starling, and is therefore an interesting note on the occurrence of the bird in that region." This region being exactly on the boundary line between New York State and Pennsj'l- vania. It will be interesting to watch far- ther the life of this bird from whom much has been feared ; for its disposi- tion has been quarrelsome and domi- neering, with a tendency to drive out the song birds. Leda W. Chace, Lawrenceville, Tioga Co., Pa. Winter Residents at Northville, Mich. Thinking that the following may be of interest to readers in the Oologist, I am sending a few notes taken during December and January, 1923. I have found Blue Jays and Crows very common, and Black-capped Chick- adee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, common in the woods. The Barred Owl and Great Horned Owl are not uncommon, al- though not often seen. The Screech 30 THE OOLOGIST Owl is plentiful and the American Long-eared Owl is seen occasionally; there is a report that a Snowy Owl was seen near Plymouth, Mich., about four miles from here, but this is a rare occasion, as the Snowy Owl but rait ly visits this region. The Bob-white and Ruffed Grouse are common, and I observed a male Brown Creeper for the first time, al- though it is recorded as not uncommon in Michigan. I have also observed the Purple Finch for the first time since 1919. In the winter of 1920, the Evening Grosbeak visited this region for the first time; even the oldest residents here had never seen the bird before. It was here in great numbers all through the winter, in flocks varying from one dozen to two hundred. How- ever that was its first appearance and it has not been seen since. James Wood, Northville, Mich. OBSERVATIONS. The Gulf of Mexico is on the south and east of Texas and Wilbarger County is one of the counties just across the Red River from Oklahoma, just a few hundred miles from the Gulf, and no large body of water closer in these parts, and gives us — a dry stream about ten months in the year, being merely a run off for ex- cessive rainfall. Pease River, running entirely across Wilbarger County, empties into the Red River about eight miles east of Vernon, the county seat of Wilbarger County, and it is a fact that had these rivers been filled with beer instead of water, Vernon would not be so much, as Pease River has nothing on "Red." The general makeup of both rivers is low banks, wide beds, being nothing more than sand wastes, with sand hills irregular on both sides. These rivers have water holes scattered along and these ranging in depth from a few inches to several feet. Along in April and first days of May nearly all of the small waders are along these holes and by the hundreds, and mixed with the waders. Least Terns are plentiful. Being so far from any water of any size, it did not occur to me the Terns could be breeding in such a locality, but three years ago, while just ob- serving the birds at one of these water holes my attention was centered on the fishing of the Terns. Taking an individual I watched him dab down in the water, rise up and head north; the next one observed did the same, and so on until several had headed in the same direction. Immediately I headed north and in less than a mile soon located a colony of about fifty pair of Least Tern on a sandy stretch in the bend of Pease River, nests — yes, one for every pair, three eggs in each nest. This colony would not cover over three or four acres — some nests would be comparatively isolated, while others would be eight or ten feet apart. Stranger still, in this colony were as many nests of the Snowy Plover — three eggs in each nest — as there were of the Tern. No attempt at nest mak- ing is made by the Terns — merely scratching out a small hollow — while the Snowy Plover invariably placed small stones around their nest, re- sembling the tell tales of the Rock Wren nest entrance. Li. Li. More, Vernon, Texas. THE OOLOGIST 31 Kingfishers' Nests. On page 10 of the new "Exchange Price List," in the account of the tak- ing of a set of Kingfisher eggs, the writer seems to doubt the finding of fish bones in a kingfisher's nest. Now I have examined manj^ King- fishers' nests and in the greatar part of them there was no attempt at nest building, the eggs laying on the bare earth in the enlarged end of the bur- row. However, I found many nests where there was an accumulation of fish bones around the eggs; this was usu- ally in nests where the eggs were partly incubated. May 16th, 1885, I found a nest with four eggs, incuba- tion commenced, where the eggs were laid on a few dead leaves and fish bones. Verdi Burtch, Branchport, N. Y. rapid on the Athabasca River, towarda which the birds were flying. A. D. Henderson, Belvedere, Alta, Snowy Owl and Coyote. While on a trip to Mounville on January 24th, 1915, my partner noticed a coyote with a rabbit in its mouth, crossing a field. A Snowy Owl swooped several times at the coyote, making it drop the rabbit twice. Perhaps the Owl had been the origi- nal captor of the rabbit, but at any rate /the Coyote remained in pos- session. A. D. Henderson, Belvedere, Alta. Late iVlallards. On December 16th, 1922, late in the afternoon, while 1 was admiring a flock of Ruffed Grouse, browsing in a clump of willows, I happencMl to glance upward and saw tiircc Mal- lards flying northeast. 1 iiad not seen a duck since Lake Nonne froze over on November ISth and 1 suppose the nearest open water would be at somn Notes From Benton County, Arkansas, tlie Land of a IVlillion Bird?. Unusual conditions prevail in this vicinity, due I believe to the extremely mild weather conditions that have so far been experienced. Robin:; are still seen in large flocks daily, whilo last year the last one had gone before Christmas, and the first retu'-ned on the 24th of January. At this season of the year not as many birds are seen in the friii^ and shade trees as during the spring aud summer months, but in the big -woods, brush lands, along the spring branches and small streams they are found by thousands. The tall timber find.-i large flocks of Flickers, numerous kinds of Woodpeckers, ranging in size from the busy Downy to the great Pileate I • the harsh cry of the Blue Jay and the caw of the Crow also announce their pres- ence. The brush lands claim most of bird box, by using a small white pine the Red Birds, Wrens, Tom-Tits, Chick- adees, Robins and various Sparrows. Along the creeks, in large numb'^rn, we have Cowbirds, Blackbirds, Cedar Waxwings, Juncos and numerous others of our feathered friends in smaller numbers. * * • IVIy First Set. According to the usual way of things, as I understood them, my first set of eggs should have been English Spar- row or at most Jay or Robin; how- ever my first set consisted of three Crested Flycatcher eggs, taken from as eccentric a pair of birds as I ever heard of. This is the way it happened: One morning, having nothing else to do, 1 had with the assistance of a neighbor boy, constructed a four-room THE OOLOGIST box secured at the grocery store, and by nailing two partitions at right angles in the box four medium sized rooms were constructed; I next cut four round holes allowing easy access to any of the rooms; we finished by adding two porches with slanting roof, fastening one end of a sturdy pole to the box we then proceeded to nail the other end to a fence post in the chicken yeard, between the chicken house and a large red oak tree. Al- though we anxiously watched the new house for several days, it showed no signs of being occupied, so we practic- ally forgot it until one afternoon about three weeks later we noticed straw protruding from one of the lower holes; promptly getting a step-ladder we looked into the box and saw a rather bulky nest made of nondescript material. The nest contained one egg, which we took to be English Sparrow; it was rather dark in the nest and we did not touch the egg; before de- scending the ladder we noticed that the upper right hand hole also con- tained an about half-made nest. We did not look into the box again until the third day after our first visit, and were surprised to find the nest that was started on our previous visit com- pleted and containing one egg; we took each egg out of the two nests, looked at them and returned them to their original places; in doing this we noticed a medium sized snake skin in or at the side of one nest, and I re marked to my companion that the bird must be hard up for building material if forced to use snake skins for nests. We did not know what kind of bird occupied our box, so hid nearby and waited to see; after waiting patiently for half an hour, during which time we often heard the pair of birds call- ing each other, but did not see theuj until suddenly the female flew to the top hole and went in and stayed as .ong as we watched. The next after- noon we looked again and to our sur- prise found a third egg laid on a few grass roots in a different room from either of the other eggs. Our identity of the bird not being positive, we looked in our bird books for descrip- tion of bird and eggs, and when we read the following description of the eggs it fitted them so exactly that we were sure they were Crested Fly- catcher eggs (the strong personality of the bird is stamped even upon the eggs. Where is any to match them for curious crazy coloring? The artist had purple inks shading all the way from the deepest chestnut-purple to the faintest lilac. With a sharp pen he scratched the shell from end to end with all his colors till it was covered, then finished it off with a few wild flourishes and crosswise scrawls.) We took the tnree eggs and blew chem, using a pm to make a hole to empty the contents. I still have one of the eggs and I have since found that it is a typical specimen of the Crested i<'lycatcher. This peculiar in- cident aroused my interest in birds and eggs, which has been growing ever since. David T. Young. Bentonville, Ark., Jan. 8, 1923. Werner — Taxidermist. I am very much interested in the supplement to the October Oologist by Reger, of Norristown, Pa., particu- larly as I knew Mr. Werner intimately, and went on a trip to Texas with him in 1884 and helped him collect some of the birds Reger now has in the coUeo lion he obtained from the Werner es- tate. Werner was an artist in the lines of photography and taxidermy, and he commercialized his work only because he was compelled to in order to live. He often lamented to me that he was compelled to sell the creations THE OOLOGIST 38 of his artistic hands. He was a gen- ius, but too retiring and diffident for his own good. At the time of his death he was in Atlantic Tity, N. J., where he had been for a number of years, and his ambition was for the city to build a museum and take over his collection for the benefit of the public. But the politicians did not see it that way. Poor Werner, this collection was his life work. G. B. Benners, 278 S. 23d St., Philadelphia, Pa. USE YOUR HEAD. A Woodpecker pecks a great many specks Of sawdust when building a hut; He works like a nigger, to make the hole bigger; He's sore if his cutter won't cut. He don't bother with plans of cheap artisans, But there's one thing can rightly be said ; The whole excavation has this expla- nation— He builds it by using his head. Gerard Alan Abbott, Glasgow, Ky. An Alaskan Letter. An Alaskan letter, dated September 30th, 1922, from one of our Alaskan collectors reached us January 8th, ai.-fi contains, among other things: "I came to town last week and go back to camp tomorrow. 1 walked in and led a pack horse. It is sixty miles and took four days to come in. Came over the mountains, as the shorter trail would mire the horse. One day we saw ten to twenty thous- and Ptarmigans, and I thought of you and a camera. They were mostly L. Lagopus, but some were Mountain or Rock Ptarmigans, mixed with them. Of course the country could not sup- port such numbers for long, l)ut they will move from there soon, as llio snow is now nearly covering the ground. I saw them on the mountain tops. As you know I raise reindeer, and we have two thousand in o:ip herd. Wo should have about seven hundred fawns next spring, and we must move from place to place to keep with the herd. The range is what naturalists call Alpine Arctic, and below us, some three or four miles away, is oTten much less and poorer timbered coun- try, called Hudsonian Zone; neither of these places are sandy, gravelly or grassy and none of it is heavily tim- bered. It is from one to three thous- and feet altitude. My range is Tunda, or at least moss covered, and often considered barren land. It is typical of the treeless north. Of nesting shore birds we have Phalarope, Snipe, Plover and several Sandpipers, also Hutchin's and White- fronted Geese, and the little Brown Crane, while the Swans nest on the lower ground. The Alice and Varied Thrushes and Robin are common as is also the Harlequin Duck. We have some Green Winged Teal, Pin-tailed, Mallard and Scaup Ducks, Red Breast- ed Mergansers, and also the Pacific Loon, and Holboell's Grebe, and rarer a Curlew. Blackbirds are only too common. Long Spurs are abundant, also Horned Larks, the Pipit and Snow Bunting, and high up in the rocks the Rosy Finch. Also Rough-legged Hawk and Western Alaska Red-tailed Hawk, Duck Hawks, Horned Owls, and the Golden Kagle are not found here, but are common in some places on the coast, also Myrtle Blackpoll and Yel- low Warblers, Black Capped Warblers, Western Tree, Gambells and NCUow C'rowned Sparrows. I l)elieve timber line here is about 2000 feet. It is a low and swampy. 34 THE OOLOGIST grassy country at the mouth of the river, which can be reached from here in two days, where many Ducks, Cranes, Gulls and shore birds nest. The Short-billed, Bonaparte's Gull and Arctic Terns being among them, and a few Red Phalarope." How many of our readers would enjoy a spring collecting experience in such a territory. R. M. Barnes. Just As the Sun Went Down. I gave up deer hunting for the day and decided to take my shotgun and go to a water hole and watch for some turkeys not far from camp. A wind mill furnished water that ran into this hole in the ground. A small wooden tank was near the mill and had a pipe running into it. The wood- en tank was about six feet long aad one foot wide; this would run full of water as the wind ran the mill. Then the tank would run over and fill np the water hole I was watching. I hid in the brush in shooting distance. Armadillos would come, get a drink and go. All animals that came to water while I was there would drink from the water hole. All birds would drink from the wooden tank. No big game showed up and I think several thousand Doves drank from the tank while I lay hidden in the brush. I got up and went to the tank, and to my surprise it was empty. The birds that had watered there in one hour's time had drank it dry, and it was half full when I first went by it. A Dove does not drink much, but you can tell what a bunch of Doves watered there to drink the tank dry. At times you could holler as loud as you pleased and you could not hear yourself for the racket that the thousands of Doves made as they flew in, flopped around, drank and made it away to their roosting grounds. I think every state in the United States must have been represented at that Dove water- ing hole. Now the sun is down and the moon has begun to peep, so I made a bee line for camp. I had walked a short distance and to my right I heard a roar. It sounded like the lions that roar in a cage at a circus. I knew what it was, and slowly walked along, watching every opening. To my sor- row, I was loaded with Turkey shot only. Another roar came from the brush and another, then the panther came into sight; he was not in shoot- ing distance and funny, but it's the truth, I was glad of it, as I was not armed properly for such big game. The panther saw me, but kept his distance; he was going the same course I was, but several hundred feet to my right. Now and then he would roar to let me know he was still com- ing. As darkness fell I lost sight of my friend Mr. Panther. I came to a gate not far from camp and saw a light flash at this gate. I was glad to see it. It was Mr. Anderson, one of our party. He was loaded with Tur- key and was waiting for my father to arrive at the gate before they went on to camp. Father soon arrived with a big gobbler, and I said did you all hear that blood-curdling racket over there? Mr. Anderson laughed and said no. But my father spoke up and said yes. So we came to the conclus- ion that the panther did not want any- thing to do with me because I did not have any fresh meat, and he was slip- ping on my father, who had passed in a short distance of him with a wild Turkey. As it was too dark and we were loaded with Turkey we did not look for the panther. I can say one thing truly, there is one panther in the Blue Mountains that would be in my shop right now if I had of had a Winchester instead of a shotgun and bird shot. The rest of the party bar- THE 00L0GI8T 36 rassecl me for not shooting the panther with bird shot, but the ranch owner who was lighting a cigarette by a coal of fire raised his head and said, "Ye better be doggone glad ye didn't shoot at him with them bird shot. Why that would made the ole boy ready to fight instead of run." Ramon Graham, Ft. Worth, Tex. Not Golden Fronted Woodpecker's Eggs. On page 86, 1914 Oologist, the late E. .1. Darlington described a set of eggs (five) secured from the collection of the late Wm. B. Crispin, and asked, 'What are they?" The set was taken by F. B. Arm- strong, Tampico, Mexico, and accred- ited to the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. Mr. Darlington describes them as pale cream color, two marked with reddish and lavender spots, while the others are almost plain (unmarked). While eggs of the Sulphur-bellied Fly- catcher are like those of the Crested Flycatcher, as pointed out by Mr. Dar- lington, these eggs were more like those of the Martin (Purple?). His description, however, placed them as far away from Martins' eggs as they appeared to be from the Sul phur-bellied Flycatcher, inasmuch as all were creamy white and showed more or less markings. I have examined hundreds of nests of the Purple Martin with flash and mirror in the hope of finding at least one breaking away from the regula- tion type of immaculate, but in a total of three or four thousand eggs thus examined, not one showed any trace of markings. Other Swallows, such as Barn, Cliff, etc., frequently lay pure white unmarked eggs, but I say, a marked specimen of Purple Martin egg will be an abnormal wonder — not an impossibility, however. Now, apparently, Mr. Darlington ob- tained satisfactory authenticity from some Texas man who pronounced the yuestioned eggs Golden-fronted Wood- peckers' (see Oologist, 1915, page 64). Mr. E. H. Short, of Chili, N. Y., saw the eggs, as did also Mr. E. J. Court, National Museum, Washington, D. C, but neither could name the species; Mr. Court stating that they certamly were not eggs of the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. Sometimes 1 have wondered if Mr. Darlington was taking the identifica- tion seriously, by the Texas man who said the eggs were a typical set of Golden-fronted Woodpecker. Mr. Armstrong sent me eggs of the Golden-fronted Woodpecker, but they are real Woodpeckers' eggs. The Golden-fronted Woodpecker never did, and cannot lay spotted eggs. Biological laws governing the separa- tion of orders and the coloration of eggs forbid it. But, on the other hand, the Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers will produce eggs graduating all the way from the normal specimen, through ex- tremely lightly marked types to ab- normally faintly marked and the rarer phase of abnormalism — pure white. A pure white egg of the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, or any of the Crested species, retaining its normal shape, will very closely resemble normal eggs of the Purple Martin. 1 firmly believe Mr. Armstrong knew what he was doing when he accredited the eggs to the Sulphur-bellied Fly- catcher. Mr. Armstrong furnished me many sets of abnormal eggs, and there can be no question of authenticity. Why he allowed this set, valuable to a stu- dent of abnormal eggs, to get into hands where even museum bird doc- tors could not name the species, 1 do not understand. J. Warren Jacob.s. Waynesburg, Pa., Jan. 12, 1923. THE OOLOGIST A Belated Swallow. Friday, November 17, 1922, was cold and wintry. The ground was wliit- ened, tlie result of a recent snow flurry, and altogether it was decidedly cheerless. I was traveling by train from St. John, New Brunswick, to Montreal, and was impressed by the scarcity of wild bird life. Not even a Funeral Crow in many miles to break the lifeless monotony of the landscape. Finally, about nine in the morning, we stopped and I noticed the sign read "Birchton." I was told we were in Quebec. An open field lay between the train and some farm buildings one hundred yards or so away. Suddenly my attention was arrested by a siuall bird flying slowly across the field. It sailed along leisurely with an occas- ional familiar wing movement, and I saw that it was a Tree Swallow (Iri- doprocne bicolor). It disappeared behind the train, and I eagerly watched, hoping it would return within range of my vision so that I might reassure myself. Pres- ently it reappeared and this time passed by the window within forty yards and as it wheeled on several occasions I was able to note the pearly white breast which clearly distin- guishes this from others of the Swal- low family. On such occasions one naturally asks why should this frail bird have remained while others of its kind went south some two months or more ago? I believe that it is true that the Tree Swallow is one of the hardiest of the Swallows. It has frequently been seen feeding on berries of various kinds, either from choice or when insects failed to abound in sufficient numbers to sustain it. Nevertheless, it is es- sentially an insect eater and is one of the first of our summer birds to leave for the south at the approach of autumn. Possibly this might have been an injured bird, hence unable to complete the long flight, though on the wing it showed no evidence of any physical defect. Might it not be that sometimes individuals among the birds reach maturity, lacking that marvelous sense which we call the "migration instinct?" Separated from their fellows they linger aimlessly about their native haunts, eventually succumbing to the natural forces which apparently must soon destroy the frail bird I have described. R. W. Tufts, Wolfville, N. S. A Catbird's Nest. The following is a detailed account of the materials in a Catbird's nest taken from an apple tree in an orch- ard near Bardstown, Ky., from which a set of five eggs was collected on May 11, 1921. The lining consisted of two huudied and twenty-five small rootlets, mostly about four or five inches long. Evi- dently these were secured from an old raspberry patch that had been plowed up a few weeks previous. Just outside the lining of rootlets there was a mixture of grapevine bark and bits of corn fodder. There were twenty-four pieces of grapevine bark, mostly about three inches in length, though one piece was six inches long; five shreds from blades of corn fodder ranging from two to six and one-half inches in length. Next came leaves, forty-four in num ber, all of which, except one, were from sugar maple and nearly all had the stems attached. The exception was a beech leaf. Outside the leaves were several bits of paper, as follows: Two moisture proof papers from chewing gum; one small piece from an envelope flap; two pieces of newspaper, one about two inches square, the other was about THE OOLOGIST 87 three by four inches, but was doubled before the nest was torn down; the top off a seed packet, bearing the word "lettuce;" a triangular piece of old wall paper about three Inches across. There was also with the pa- per a strip of cloth about six inches long and an inch wide. Then came the foundation, consist- ing of wood stems, a few rootlets, and two pieces of coarse grass. There were thirty-seven pieces of annual vine and weed stems, the longest piece about thirty inches in length, and there were ten pieces over a foot long. There were six large rootlets, the longest about sixteen inches in length and about the size of a No. 11 wire. The two bits of grass were about five and six inches long, with roots attached. The total ntimber of pieces of ma- terial was three hundred and fifty-six. Possibly a few pieces may have been lost in taking the nest, and a few might have been broken or lost in the count, but the number is nearly cor- rect. It is interesting to note that no twigs were used in the constructioii of this nest, in spite of the fact that such authorities as Alexander Wilson, J. M. Wheaton, Chester A. Reed and A. W. Butler agree that dead twigs are used by the Catbird. Also, grass is mentioned as a material used by this species by all of the above writers, except Wheaton, but in this nest only two pieces were used. In this nest there seemed to be five separate layers. First, the foundation, mainly of weed stems. Second, bits of paper. Third, leaves. Fourth, grape- vine bark and bits of corn fodder. Fifth, the lining of rootlets. Doubtless nesting materials vary greatly in different localities, and the general statements of our ornitholog- ical writers on this point cannot al- ways be taken as a basis for the country at large. Therefore, if ob- servers would more carefully study nesting materials and record the re- sults of their studies, obviously they would be worth while contributions to this interesting phase of bird study. Ben J. Blincoe. Dayton, Ohio, Dec. 3, 192!^. NOTES ON COLLECTING EGGS OF THE GREAT HORNED OWL. In 1915, when I began the collection of birds' eggs of Paulding County, Ohio, it seemed to me that of all the eggs I might take here, none would be more desirable than the eggs of the Great Honied Owl. Consequently dur- ing the season of 1915 1 was continu- ally on the lookout for nests of this bird. About the middle of May, while walking through a small woods, two miles southwest of Payne, Ohio, 1 noticed a large dead red oak, the trunk of which was literally white- washed with bird droppings, and upon looking up noticed in the fork a young Horned Owl, not quite strong enough to fly. Thinking that perhaps there might also be an addled egg in the fork, which was perhaps thirty-five feet up, 1 decided to climb and find out. After taking several rests (?) along the way I reached (he fork, nearly exhausted (I had no climbing irons and the tree was large). As I reached for the young Owl it attempted to fly, but dropped heavily among the dead leaves at the base of the tree. The fork was slightly dished and appeared to have been used as a nest. A single stick apparently had lodged in such a manner that it would iKivf prevented the young or eggs from falling out. While still at th(^ fork one of the parent birds flew by within fifteen feet, with a pack of 38 THE 00L0GI8T Crows in close pursuit. None of them seemed to notice me until they had passed. After reaching the ground I stared up into the top of a leaning tree nearby and saw the other young Owl. After playing with the one that had fallen long enough to find out thai with all his turkey-gobbler strutting and cute appearance, he was too dan- gerous for a pet, I grasped the tip of one wing, placed him on a leaning tree nearby, where he would be in no danger from dogs, and left him, hoping that he and his mate would have no other bad luck than to lay a fine set of eggs for my cabinet next year. Nc3t number two was found Febru- ary 20, 1916, in a large, dense, hundred- acre woods about a quarter of a mile west of the woods containing nest number one. The female attracted my attention by flying off the nest with a swish of wings, when 1 was fifty feet from the tree. The nest was about twenty-five feet high in the fork of a large elm and appeared to be an old Crow's nest with a great number of buffy Owl feathers clinging to the sides. I had no climbers, but fortu- nately a large ivy vine reached to a large branch just below the nest and I lost no time in testing it and decid- ing it would be safe to climb. Anyone who has climbed a rope for twenty- five feet knows they were plenty tired enough upon reaching the top without having to pull themselves over the beam, rod or branch to which the rope was tied; at least that was the way 1 found myself at the end of the vine, and as 1 pulled myself up over the branch it seemed to me that if 1 had weighed another pound 1 never could have made the grade. After lying on the branch and taking a long rest 1 rose and took a look at the two dirty eggs which lay on the heavy mat of down and feathers. I had imagined they would be white as snow, and much more nearly spher- ical than they were and though dis- appointed in this respect was glad nevertheless to get them, no matter how they looked. Mrs. Owl crouched on a branch of a tree about one hun- dred feet away and did considerable whoo-ing. After a long rest I slid down the trunk of the tree and started for home with my prizes. Upon ar- riving home I found the eggs very heavily incubated and requiring the drilling of large holes. Nest number three, found March 10, 1916. This nest appeared to be that of a hawk and very likely had been the home of Cooper Hawks the year before. The nest was about forty feet up in a slender dead elm near the center of the woods, containing nest number two. Both birds were seen near the nest. This tree was easy to climb without the aid of climbing irons and I soon reached the nest only t.r- find that no eggs had yet been laid. Two days later in the afternoon found me back in the woods without much hope that the birds had re- turned. However Owl "horns" were plainly showing and twitching above the nest and a rap on the treee caused Mrs. Owl to leave. The nest was soon reached and the two snow-white eggs were in my possession. A few bits of twigs and buds had been added since I had examined the nest two days be- fore, but there were no feathers or other lining on this thick flat nest. I have always felt that these eggs had been laid by the same bird I had robbed in February and that I had done them a great injustice by taking the second set. Nest number four was found about February 15, 1917, (exact date not known); 1 recall that the afternoon was very pleasant and warm for this time of year and that Mr. Don Parady, THE OOLOGIST 89 of Payne, had asked me to help his boy scouts find a nest of the Horned Owl. The boys were too noisy and talked too much for us to have much luck in finding a nest. The Crows were continually harrassing a pair of the birds and seemed to be chasing them all about the woods. We were about to give it up when I noticed one of the Owls alight in a tree quite a distance away. We were soon at the tree and near-by found the down- covered nest which had been used by the Crows one or two years before. This nest was not more than twenty- five feet high in an elm and there was very little left of it except the mud, a few twigs and a little binder twine. The two dirty eggs were cold when taken and Mr. Parady informed me later that they were heavily incubated. Neither bird put in an appearance nor was heard of while we were at the nest. This nest was in the same woods where numbers two and three were found, but was quite near the north edge. Nest number five was found in some woods near a portable saw mill. It was found February 23, 1920. This was a natural cavity and was about twenty-five feet up. There were plenty of feathers about the entrance to the cavity, but very few inside although there was plenty of snow and ice inside, surrounding the eggs. Mrs. Owl left at the first rap of my climbing irons and was not seen or heard later. The day was very cold and I had a great deal of trouble hang- ing to the bark with my cold, numbed fingers. This was another foolhardy climb. The tree was about thirty inches in diameter at the base and perhaps twenty-five inches at the cavity. The cavity was very large and deep enough that the sitting bird could not be seen from the ground. Tn^ eggs were slightly incubated. Nest number six was found March 13, 1921, about one and a half miles southwest of Payne, in a small woods and not more than five hundred feet from a house. It was hard to believe that these Owls would use such a small woods for nesting, and it was only my curiosity that caused me to get the eggs. I had noticed what ap- peared to be an old Crow's nest fully fifty feet up in the fork of a red oak near the center of the woods. There were no downy feathers clinging to the sides of the nest and the "horns" of the sitting bird appeared almost exactly like pieces of corn husks which might have been dragged up by a fox squirrel or a raccoon. A rap on the tree brought no results, nor indeed a series of raps with a large club. Clubs thrown at the nest brought no results and I had walked away deciding to give it up as I didn't care to climb fifty feet for nothing. After walking some distance from the tree I decided to return and try it again. After throwing several clubs, I finally placed one so near one of the "horns' that Mrs. Owl moved it ever so slightly, but enough to let me know that it was not a corn husk. When about half way to the nest Mrs. Owl flew off and sailed up in the top of a tree nearby, where she did a great deal of hooting until a rapidly in- creasing flock of crows drove her away. The nest was an old Crow's nest with an addition of a few bits of moss and a very few feathers. The two eggs were very dirty and were considerably incubated, but were changed to an excellent set with small holes and a spotless surface. Nest number seven was found March 25, 1922, in Allen County, Indiana, about seventeen miles east of Ft. Wayne. This was a natural cavity forty feet up at the top of a large liv- ing sycamore in a dense and very wet 40 THE OOLOGIST woods. The tree was three feet in diameter at the hase and fully two feet at the top where the cavity was so shallow that the sitting bird could plainly be seen from the west side of the tree. A rap with the irons was sufficient to send Mrs. Owl away to be further persecuted by Crows. The diameter of the tree and the smooth- ness of the bark gave me quite a problem to figure out. I first decided to fell a tall sapling nearby in such a way that it would lodge in the top oi the sycamore and so give me easy access to the cavity. A gust of wind at the wrong moment spoiled this plan and so with the help of two boys who lived a short distance away, we car- ried a heavy painter's extension ladder from a barn nearly half a mile away. This proved to be too short, and so as the tree had no branches except a few up around the cavity I tied a rope belt around my waist and then tied the end of another long rope to the belt at my left side, passed the other end around the tree and tightened it up with my right arm and wrist, wrap- ping it about my wrist as I climbed hijrher and the tree became smaller in d'ameter. I climbed in spiral fashion, as it was necessery to loosen the rope occasionally from the small protruding knots or knobs. The cavity was reached in due time and there lay two tiny downy Great Horned Owls, about the size of day old chicks, and nearly as innocent looking. In fact as 1 peered down at these little pitiful figures it scarcely seemed possible that within three more months they would develop into "tiger" birds. I descended as quickly as possible lest the nestlings might chill. The boys promised they would not kill either the young or parent birds, and I was both pleased and surprised when I returned two weeks later to hunt for a Red-shouldered Hawk's nest to see the sitting bird up in the cavity. Homer F. Price, Payne, Ohio. INDEXING THE OOLOGIST. A correction because of an unfortu- nate oversight on the part of our printer, the January issue of The Oologist is paged from 185 to 204. lu preparing the copy for this issue it was not thus paged — it was paged from 1 to 20. This issue we began paging where the January issue should have left off and in making next year's index the reference to the January issue will be made from 1 to 20, in- stead of from 185 to 204; you should immediately upon receipt of this issue of The Oologist, repage your January issue so that it will comply with the paging which will be used in making this year's index, and that will be as follows: January Issue, 1923. Actual Corrected Paging Paging Title Page 1 186 2 187 3 188 4 189 5 190 6 191 7 192 8 193 9 194 10 195 11 196 1^ 197 13 198 14 199 15 200 16 201 17 202 18 203 19 204 20 R. M. Barnes. THE OOLOGIST KGGS Will Exchange personally taken Florida sets for books. Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. TO EXCHANGE — One King Trom- bone, Silver plated Gold bell. Highland low pitch, new in case. For first class sets. E. A. Wheeler, E. Randolph, N. Y. FOR SALE for Cash — Bulletin Coop- er Club & Condor, Volumes 1 to 6 in- clusive, complete, except No. 6, Vol. 1. Oologist, Vol. XI, (1894) complete; Vol. X (1893) complete, except April, July and November. W. B. Sampson, 100.5 North San Joaquin St., Stockton, Cal. North America, bound in library buck- ram, 59 colored illustrations by Fuer- tes. Also bound 1916 Bird-Lore. Fred J. Pierce, Winthrop. Iowa. _ _ WANTED — For analysis. 1 set each 337 and 339. Must be absolutely fresh, unblown and very carefully packed and sent special delivery parcel post as soon as taken. Write and make agree- ment now. Will give copy of Bent's Diving Birds to the one who sends me the two sets this spring. Paul G. Howes, 91 Hope St., Stamford, Conn. Cash if preferred to the book. 2-3-1 FOR SALE — Na. hTs tory Books^nll Magazines. Brent's "N. A. Diving Birds," "N. A. Gulls and Terns," "N. A. Petrels & Pelicans," Coues' "Key," "Birds of NW.," "Birds of Colorado Valley," "Ornithological Bibliography," "Botany & Zoology Mex. Boundary," (scarce, colored plates of birds), "Con- dor," "O. & O.," "Osprey," and many more; send for list. If you have Nat. Hist, literature or a collection of old Postage Stamps to dispose of, let us hear from you. Franklin's, Box 2, Washington, D. C. ~W^NT^20^r".410 modern double shot gun, cash or exchange. FOR SALE, very old double barrel "horse pistol." F. M. Carryl, 1 Princeton St., Nutley. New Jersey. BUTTERFLIES — Just received a new shipment of South American butterflies in papers unnamed, consisting of Papi- lios Heliconias Catsopilias Calagram- mas, etc., which I will sell in lots of 25 mixed for $5.00 post paid. Each lot contains one Morpho cypres, one of the most brilliant of South American but- terflies; dealers charge $2.50 to $3.50 for the specie alone. A. J. Potter, East Killingly, Conn. l-3t FOR EXCHANGE — A-1 sets 261, 273, 305, 308b, 331, 367 and others for well mounted specimens of 327, 331, 332, 333, 337, 337a. 342, 343. Also have finely mounted 334 will exchange for some of the above. Elmer Langevin, Crooks- ton, Minnesota. FOR SALE or Exchange — Mounted Birds, Skins, and Eggs in sets and singles. Jesse T. Craven, 5315 Roose- velt Ave., Detroit, Michigan. l-2t WANTED — Bent's Diving Birds For Sale — Nelson's Smaller Mammals of FOR SALE^ — Ridgway's "Birds of Middle and North America." Vol. 4 & 5 (half leather). Vol. 6, 7 & 8, (Paper). Theodore R. Greer, Aledo, Illinois. ^VANTED — By H. H. Johnson. Pitts- field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXIII, 5; Vol. XXIV, all; Journal Maine Ornith. Soc, Vol. VI, 4; VII, 1; Nuttall Bulletin, all; Oologist (Utica). all; Ornith. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vev Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37, 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard. Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Ilwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED — -Lepidopters from the West and Soutli West, especially Splin- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay, 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy. Phila, Pennsylvania. WANTED — Prismatic Binoculars. C. S. Sharp. Escondido. Cal. Will give .sets of .'!49 or part cash. How about it? EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two hundred pages, well illus- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Oology. It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A history of this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illus- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustra/tions showing proper cabinet arrangements of specimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five on prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Birds and Prices adopted for the exchange of specimens of eggs of each. 11. Advertise- ments. Paper bound copies .$1.00. Cloth l)ound copies $2.00. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. THE OOLOGIST THE « ♦ « WILSON BULLETIN A Biboliograph of scarce or out of A QUARTEHl-Y JOURNAL, OF ORNITHOLOGY print, North American Amateur and Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds in Middle ^^^^^ Periodicals, devoted more or Nortli America. Now in its 28th year. 64 pages or more of readable matter l^s to Ornithology. Listing 147 Sep- with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. $1.50 per year, 40 cts. per copy. arate publications. Price 25 cents. Official Organ of jHE ^- ^- BARNES. WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Lacon, III. Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, . ^_^ 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. The OoLOGiST. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXI OERMY Vol. XL. No. 3. ALBION, N. Y,, Mar.. 1923. Wholb No. 431 . THE OOLOGIST HRIKF SPECIAI- AWNOHNCKMRiVT.H W-Mt tf<1 K.xchnnge, I'or Sale. Klc. inserted in this rtepartm«nt al_85_o«n^» f,,r e;icli 25 woVfIs for one issup; ftoeli ^priP'l for less than 25 cents^ irtdltional word 1 cent. No nstloe fn- DATA BLANKS— I will print 500 Standard Data Blanks with your nan.e on them for $1.50 postpaid. Edward S. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Massachusetts. tit„„.j FOR SALE — Birds and Nature Maga- zine bound in double volumes as fol- lows- 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 13-14, and volume 11 single. Covers slightly worn but in good second-hand condition. Write \\ . H. Over, Vermillion, So. Dakota. J^± I have some 5000 Indian Relics, most- ly arrows, a few tomahawks, etc., I will exchange for Mounted Specimens • )r bird eggs, or will sell same for cash. C. E. PilQuist, Dardanelle. Ark. FX)R SALE — Large collection of birds' eggs and nests, mounted birds, shells, corals, sea curios, minerals, carvings, nuts, Ceramics and Indian curios. Must dispose of same at once. H. B. Lutman, Painted Post, N. T. WANTED — Back numbers of Orni- thological magazines, especially Condor, ilso anv books on Ornithology or Tax- idermy. Egg cabinet also wanted. Write^ giving prices. James Suthard, Madisonville, Kentucky. "wanted to hear from collectors having sets of eggs or Bird Skins to dispose of. Cash or exchange. C. F. Pahrman, 1011 Fourth St., La Porte, Ind. ~JOHN LORANG, Genesee, Idaho. Col- lector of Idaho Birds eggs, also Bird and Animal Skins for mounting pur- poses. For sale or exchange. A black Squirrel Skin Mounted. FOR SALE — Auk, 1918 and 1920, vol- umes complete. $1.50 each, prepaid. Wilson bulletin, 1920 volume, 90c. Bi- ological Bulletin 17 and 39 also. Fred Pierce, Winthrop. Iowa. In addition to eggs In sets I am making a cosmopolitan collection of singles. Must have accurate data thor- oughly identified. Offer skins, eggs, or cash. A. W. Hanaford, R. R. 9, Box 1210. Los Angeles, Cal. "Beginners Luck" — ^A collection of 75 varieties, eggs in sets, at a bargain. Common and not common; a good start for a collector. Also a Woodpecker and sapsucker, group of fifteen varie- ties, very reasonable. Send for lists and prices. Fred Dille, Valentine, Nebr. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE— After two years and a half In storage, I have now unpacked my library, bird and mammal collections, and have for sale many duplicate books and O. & O. pub- lications. Also will exchange bird and mammal skins from this section and sets of raptors, finches and Jays. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach, Zoo'l Park and Museum of Natural History, Miami Beach, Florida. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — Butter- flies of New England for California Butterflies. T. Love, Collector, 105 Gro\e, Lynn, Mass. "FOR SALE or EXCHANGE for Eggs — Birds of Eastern Canada — Taverner; ['.iril.s of New York, two vols. — Eaton; Birds of a Maryland Farm — Judd; Com- liarative Oology of N. A. Birds — Schu- feldt; Book of Birds, 250 col. plates — Henshaw; Catalog of Birds of Kansas — Goss; History of Birds of Kansas — Goss; Check list of Birds of New York — Farr; Birds of South Dakota — Over and Thoms; Key to Land Mammals of northeastern N. A. — Miller; Catalog of Birds of Kansas with description of nests and eggs — Goss; Raptorial Birds of Iowa; A Portfolio of 106 col. plates of Birds of Fuertes. Lieut. L. R. Wolfe, 26th U. S. Infantry, Plattsburg, N. Y. I have for EXCHANGE sets of eggs of the following species, A. O. U. Nos. : 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 32, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 47, 4S, 51, 53, 54, 58, 59, 63, 65, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 80, 81, 81.1, 83, 86, 86a, 104, 106, 107, 114, 114.1, 115, 115.1. 117, 120, 125, 127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 150, 160, 167, 169, 172, 172a, 172c, 174, 178, 179, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 192, 194, 194b, 196, 199. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, 111. Get a CATALOG Before they are All Gone They are going hery fast. Less than 100 copies are left. The Oologist. Vol. XL. No.3 Adbion, N. Y. , Mak., 1923. Wholb No. 431 O^ned and Published Monthly, by R. M. BARMOS. Albion, X. Y., and Lacon, 111. TAKE iNOTICt. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oolog-ist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your Fubscription expires with this issue. Remember we must be notified if you wisli it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Albion, N. T., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. SPRING! March is here with its raw, bleak winds and chilly days — but also with its tall leafless trees in the hollows of which are hidden two or three great white spherical eggs ol Bubo virginianus, or perhaps lodged high up in the fork of a high white oak on a hillside is a bushel or more of sticks and rul)l)ish on top of which sits Mrs. Butco borealis hiding two, three or possibly four large, beautiful, whitish eggs blotched and spotted with red, brown and lavender tints. Great gobs of fresh air, ozone and good health await the Oologist in the wide outdoors. Not to speak of deep droughts of sugar water dripping from forest giants tapped by the owners. Try it! R. M. Barnes. 42 THE OOLOGIST THE OOLOGIST CINCLUS MEXICANA — AMERICAN DIPPER. One of the Most Interesting Birds of the Mountain Streams of the Cas- cade Mountains in Oregon. With its beautiful clear song it fairly makes the canyons ring during the breeding season. Wading, swimming or diving, in the swift water of mountain streams for food, they may be seen, along the higher streams of this range. Build- ing a dome-shaped nest with the en- trance on the side and low down, generally placed near rapid water, or water falls, where the spray keeps the moss of the nest green, also build- ing on shelving rocks or under old bridges or water power plants. Nest and four eggs taken April 23, 1922, built on a beam underneath a flouring mill near water falls. This pair of birds had been nesting there for four or five years to my knowledge, and W. L. Finley took moving pictures of this pair of birds and nest when they were feeding their young. Nest built entirely of moss, the walls of which were about two inches thick, and in the bottom of this dome-shaped nest was built a fine woven nest of small dried grass, well cupped, which contained the four pure white eggs. Dimensions of nest: Circumference, 29x28 inches; length, 11 inches; width, 9 inches; height, 8 inches; opening on side 3x3 inches. May 9 this pair of birds had con- structed a new nest within three feet of the location of the first nest, and it contained four fresh eggs; building their nest and laying four oggs in 1.") days. Dr. A. G. Prill. NO IDLERS AMONG THE BIRDS A close study of bird life shows a most careful division of labor, observes a contributor in Canadian Boy Builder, who knows the value of our common birds and has also detected the recent popular interest in the movement in their behalf. Some birds, such as Swallows, Swifts, Nighthawks and Whippoorwills, sweep the air and keep down very small gauzy-winged pests like mosquitoes, gnats and midges; while the Kingbird, Pewees, Phoebes and other members of the Fly-catcher family take care of the larger flying insects, most of which are injurious to vegetation. To the Warblers and Vireos is as- signed the task of keeping leaves clear of larvae, plant lice, and canker- worms. Thrushes, Bluebirds, Robins, Orioles, Catbirds, Thrashers, Wrens and Tanagers pay special attention to the larger caterpillars and tree in- sects. Another family of birds has special charge of the bark; among these bird care-takers are to be found the vari- ous Woodpeckers and Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, Chickadees and Kinglets, who keep up a tireless search for insects in tree trunks, preventing their destruction. Not only are there birds who work in the air and on the trees, but there are also ground-floor workers. Hid- den on the ground around the roots of trees and in the grass are insect enemies whose name is legion. Black- birds, Crows, Robins, Oven-birds, Thrashers, Ground Warblers and Flickers are well known members of the ground-workers' gang. Other birds work in close co-oper- ation with man in the destruction of weeds by the eating of seeds. The various Sparrows and Finches are his constant co-workers. Some of the 44 THE OOLOGIST THE OOLOGIST 46 more tender Sparrows, who have to winter in the South, leave their work to be carried on through the autumn and winter by Juncos, Snowflakes, Redpolls and Grosbeaks. — The Class- mate, T. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. BIRD LIFE AT FUSIHATCHI COUN- TRY CLUB, ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA. By Peter A. Brannon, Montgomery, Alabama. The Fusihatchi Country Club is lo- cated on and surrounds the aboriginal site of Fusihatchi, on the Tallapoosa River. It truly perpetuates its name, if we are to consider it from the stand- point of a bird refuge. The word sig- nifies "Bird Creek," in the Creek In- dian language. Aboriginal Gorgets found in the vicinity of this place show numerous applications of the figure of the Ivory- billed Woodpecker, and it is highly probable that the word takes its sig- nificance from the fact that in those days this bird was common in this region. The bird life there is almost as it was in primitive times. Observations covering the last ten years, give many reasons why the original Creek Indi- an inhabitants of this section should have called it by that name. During the period from 1913 to the present time, the writer has visited this local- ity four or five times each year, some- times oftener, and there is no place in the central part of the state that bird life is more prevalent or more diversified. The Country Club reser- vation has only been established about two years, but during the past ten years several observers have paid especial attention to the locality, and the fact of its natural beauty, as well as its attractive winged inhabitants was one factor in the selection of the point as a club. The grounds extend up Fusihatchi Creek from its mouth at the Johnson bridge, at old Ware's ferry, for three and one-half miles, and include part of the Tenant "quarter" of a large river plantation, the bridge keeper's house, as well as a small fish pond, a club house, a duck roost and some sage fields where quail abound. The entire acreage, though, is not large. The Pileated Woodpecker has been known to nest on the reservation for more than ten years. A pair in full plumage, secured at different times here, is in the museum of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The Summer Tanager, the Red- winged Blackbird, the Bee Martin, the Rough-winged Swallow, the Chimney Swallow, the Mocking Bird, the Cat Bird, the Yellow Hammer, the Meadow Lark, the Bluebird, the Wood Thrush, the Mourning Dove, the Brown Thrasher, the Purple Martin (locally called the Box-Martin), the Crow, the Orchard Oriole, the Bluejay, the Cardinal, the Shrike, the Field Sparrow, the Red-head Woodpecker, and other of the more common perma- nent residents, nest in the immediate vicinity of Sambuli Lodge, the club house. The King Rail, the American Bittern and now a small colony of Ducks are located just in the upper marshes of the lake, and the Kingfisher in the banks of the dam. The flora of the surroundings is practically unchanged from that re- ported by William Bartram, who paid two visits to the Indian town in 1777. That flora characteristic of the central Alabama sandy country, is highly de- veloped at this point. The mountain laurel and three of the azelias grow 46 THE OOLOGIST on the grounds of the club, as well as two varieties of palms and other typic- ally tropical plants. Both long leaf and short leaf pine, cypress, magnolia, bay, live oak, black jack, wild cherry, and other just as different hardwoods grow within a stones throw of one an- other. The natural surroundings of swamp grasses and shrubbery is high- ly conducive to the fauna of the region. The Chuck-Wills-Widow, the little Ground Dove, the Bob-White, and the Field Sparrow, as well as the Meadow Lark, nest within and near the pine groves, and the Crane and Water birds hatch their young not one hundred yards away. On the 29th day of April, 1922, I noted within one-fourth mile of the club house the Cardinal, the Summer Tanager (both male and female), the Red-winged Blackbird, the Bee Martin, the Rough-winged Swallow, Chimney Swift, Snipe, Killdeer, Cow Bird, Mock- ing Bird, Cat Bird, Yellow Hammer, Meadow Lark, Savannah Sparrow, Bronze Grackle, English Sparrow, Bluebird, Marsh Hawk, Mourning Dove, Brown Thrasher, Wren, Crow, Purple Martin, and I heard in the marshes nearby the American Bittern and one of the Sandpipers, as well as seeing what I took to be a Tern, and the Warblers and Vireos were keeping up a constant twitter in the swamp nearby. In passing by the edge of it, I identified the Pine Warbler, Parula Warbler, Prairie (in an open field), what I thought was a Yellow-bellied Fly-catcher, a Goldfinch and a Wood Thrush. A small colony of Green-head Mal- lards nested on the reservation in 1922. The authorities of the club pre- vented the shooting of them in the hopes that they might become estab- lished in the locality. Reports of a few nests have been made during two or three recent summers at the head of Speigners Lake, thirty miles west of here, but 1 cannot verify this. The Wood Duck is quite common at Speig- ners and may have been confused with the Mallard. The Indigo Bunting, so attractive along the Tallapoosa River in other sections was not noted on these grounds until the late summer of 1922. The Water-Turkey is prevalent, and a reasonably common bird, in the swamp country in several directions, within a radius of five miles. Two miles away and lower on the Tallapoosa River is a colony of White Heron, and I have taken the little Green Heron and the great Blue Heron at the same place. The Blue- gray Gnat-catcher was taken by me less than three miles from here, and 1 have noted the Brown-headed Nut- hatch, the Kinglets and the Red-eyed Vireo just across the river from the club grounds. The Purple Gallinule and the Flor- ida Gallinule have nested on a lake two miles down the river for several years, and this year a pair of the Purple were observed here during the spring. A flock of seven wild Turkeys is nesting on Chubbahatchi Creek, not six miles away. I have records of the Robin there in May, and as they nest in Montgomery county, I have reason to believe they nest here, too. The European Starling has been taken in Elmore and Montgomery counties during the past three winters, not five miles from here, always in January, and feed in this locality on the winter berries. THE OOLOGIST 47 CRANE MIGRATION AT BATTLE PRAIRIE, PEACE RIVER DISTRICT. I suppose the Cranes treated oi in this article were the Little Brown Cranes, but the Owl, two of the most wary birds I ever shot, and which 1 intended to identify next morning, were served up in a stew for break- fast and I could not tell whether they were Canadenses or Mexicana by the taste. No doubt some of our learned bird doctors would have had no diffi- culty in deciding, judging from some of the stunts they have performed in this line. 1 found it almost impossible to ap- proach these wary birds near enough for a shot when they were feeding on the large prairies, but on some of the smaller prairies, surrounded by wil- lows, they would feed around and around the prairie in a circle and give an opportunity for a shot as they passed my place of concealment in the willows. On these occasions they looked very much like a flock of Tur- keys and probably this is why they are called "Wild Turkeys" by some hunters. In 1916 the first Cranes noted were two large flocks on April 27th. One flock was flying north and the other feeding in the slough. In the fall they were first seen on August 30th, one small flock. On September 1st more were seen, and on the .3rd and 4th several flocks. On the 9th I heard them flying over and on the 15th saw one large flock. They were heard again on the 20th, and on the 22nd I saw several flocks flying over and one flock lit on the prairie. On the 27th and 28th several large flocks were seen flying south, after that none were seen. In 1917 they were first seen on May 1st. a large flock going north r)ti ilie 3rd several large flocks passed over and a flock of two or three hundred lit on the prairie. On May 5th many flocks passed throughout the day and one flock lit. 1 made an estimate of each flock seen and the total number seen was around three thousand on this day. On the 6th they were stili coming, and I estimated the number passing at about one thousand. On the 7th only about one hividred passed and on the Sth none werj seen. On the 9th one flock of fifteen passed and on the 10th one lone crane lit on the prairie — none were seen after this. In 1918 I heard a Crane on April 13th, but no more were seen or heard until the 28th, when a flock passed over. On the 29th about one hundred and fifty passed over. On May 6th I saw a flock of about two hundred circling slowly down from a great height and alight on the prairie, evi- dently to avoid a wicked looking storm which was approaching from the north. It was a most beautiful sight and we stopped our saddle horses and watched it until they reached the ground. On the 11th 1 saw two flocks of about one hundred and fifty and two hundred each. The last seen passed on the 15th, a flock of about one hundred and fifty. A. D. Henderson, Belvidere, Alta., Canada. A UNIQUE BIRD TRAGEDY. During the past late summer and autumn months (1922) Pine Siskint> have occurred in great abundance in Nova Scotia. Some weeks ago 1 was traveling by auto near Bedford and at a point where elaborate road construction was being carried on I was held up l)y unt_ of the workmen, who informed me that a dynamite charge was about lo u- fired. He pointed to a pile of hrusL 48 THE OOLOGIST about 150 yards down the road which was placed in the customary manner over the charge. As I waited I heard the familiar sweet notes of a rollick- ing flock of Pine Siskins. Glancing upward I saw them coming toward me about 30 in number and straight for the ominous brush pile. Flying at a height of about 60 feet they passed directly over it at the instant of the explosion and the air was filled with dust and pieces of flying rock. The birds appeared to be literally swal- lowed up in it and as none were seen to emerge in any direction 1 believed that many if not all were killed. R. W. Tufts, Wolfville, N. S. WRENS AND WARS. Major O. C. C. Nicolls, late of the Royal Artillery, sends us the following clipping taken from the Royal Ar- tillery Magazine, and of this incident he says, "It isn't a fiction," and it is truly a remarkable incident. In Nieppe Forest. In the spring of 1918 my battery was in action in Nieppe Forest. Our guns were protected by epaulments of fas- cines, which fascines were made by the Chinese Labour Corps in the peace- ful days when the war was further east. The epaulments were carried high at the sides, to protect the de- tachment from splinters, and laths were stretched across the top to carry the green camouflage. So much for the mise-en-scene. Amongst our forest friends were two wrens, who, looking around for a nesting place, found a pair of spurs, belonging to one of our subalterns, hanging on a small branch projecting from the mass bivouac. The founda- tion of the nest was wound around spurs and branch with wonderful speed, and the subaltern had to resign himself to spurlessness. Unfortunately, we had to move our position temporarily a few days later, for some festival. On our return we found that some unscrupulous person had destroyed the nest and absconded with the spurs. Apparently our re- turn reassured the little builders, for we had hardly got our guns into their pits, when the pair were discovered constructing another nest between a lath and the camouflaging over No. 3 gun. This was serious. It is the one thing for a highly paid subaltern to sacrifice his spurs, but quite another for a 4.5-inch howitzer to give up the war; so the wrens had to take their chance. Daily and nightly the gun fired, and men scraped and cleaned and carted ammunition about the pit; but the nest was built. Every time the gun fired, the lath — which was not two yards from the breech — jumped nearly six inches. But the camouflage netting held the nest on the lath, and the eggs were laid. If the mother was ever off the nest when the gun was fired, she flew back, sat on the eggs, and held on for dear life to keep them down, as someone said. Strange to say, the whole sitting hatched out. The hun- gry, squawking little mouths became an excuse for diverting brigadiers' at- tention from a searching cross-exami- nation on markings on ammunition. The noise, deafening to human ears, in no way stunted the nestlings' growth. They were fledged just in time to al- low us to take the camouflage with us when we moved to St. Venant. A PERFECT DAY. Any true Oologist I believe will ex- perience a thrill of excitement when he collects for the first time the eggs of a species of which he has never before personally taken, even though the species may be one of the com- monest. Most of my collecting has THE OOLOGIST 49 been in the Middle Western States, and to the readers who reside in the eastern section the below described nests are perhaps frequently their most common taken, but the past sea- son of 1922 was my first residence in this locality and the below noted sets were the first of each species that 1 had ever collected. It was Saturday, June 17th, I had finished the usual company inspec- tion of quarters, stables and equip- ment. Saturday afternoon is a time- honored holiday in the army, so l concluded to pack up my collecting outfit and take a stroll in the hope of locating the nests of a few of our feathered friends. Leaving my quar- ters I went directly across the parade grounds toward the lake. Near the farther side there were two cedar trees and as I passed these I was just naturally curious, so grasping the low- est limb I raised myself up into the thick foliage; there not two feet away was a rather bulky nest resembling somewhat the nest of a Kingbird. As I looked a bird climbed from the nest, stood on the edge a moment and then was gone, a Cedar Waxwing; in my anxiety to see into the nest I almost overturned it. My heart took an extra beat; four beauties, grayish white with round specks of black and a few blotches of purple, and they were fresh. The nest was situated eight feet from the ground and among the thick branches of cedar. It was rather bulky, composed of twigs, leaves, grass, pieces of paper, a few strings and lined with rootlets and a few hairs. As this set was being care- fully packed I nearly convinced myself to return home, because such good fortune right at the start of a trip usually means disaster for the remain- der of the day, but I finally swung the basket over my shoulder and started along. Some time later I was slowly work- ing my way through a tangle of young saplings and small growth, then there was an open space of about twenty feet, and just on the opposite side of this a male Redstart hesitated a mo- ment and then darted into the leaves. I made a few more steps and there was the nest about five feet from the ground in the top of a small maple. Five eggs reposed therein. I was not sure of the identification, so returned to the other side of the little clearing and sat down to watch the nest. In a few minutes Mrs. Redstart slipped down and covered the eggs, and then as I approached the nest again she and her brightly colored husbano scolded at me from the top of a sap- ling a few feet away. This nest was a very neat cup, composed of plant cot- ton, inner bark of vines and cob- webs all woven together and about the upright forks; it was lined with root fibers and one or two feathers. The eggs were well advanced in incuba- tion, and were of a dull white color spotted and splashed around the larger end with light brown. This was a beautiful set and as incubation was ad- vanced, a lot of patient work was necessary in making a good set; the first set of American Redstart that I had ever collected. This set and nest were carefully packed and I continued on through a rather damp niixcil woods, finding and photographing, but not disturbing several nests of the Wilson Thrush, Yellow, Chestnut-sid- ed and Magnolia Warblers, a nest of our little friend the Chippy, nearly filled with three eggs of the Cowbird. Then at the edge of a patch of thick brush I parted the leaves of a blue- berry l)ush; there was a nest contain- ing three eggs that were new to mo. This nest was so low that at first I thought it was in the grass, but found it to be in the outer forks of a branch 50 THE OOLOGIST and about eighteen inches from the ground, constructed wholly of small straws and grass and lined with fine wire grass and a few fibers. The eggs were of a creamy yellow and finely specked around the large end with rich brown. I stood near the nest for several minutes, but no owner ap- peared, so I withdrew about twenty yards and lying down behind a thicl^ bush 1 waited for the owner of the nest. It was fully half an hour beforf a leaf moved just over the nest ano there appeared a bird which I at onc( recognized as one of the Fly-catchers, but was not able to determine just what species. 1 did not collect these eggs, but returned to this spot the fol- lowing day, after 1 had looked up sev- eral references and was able to prop- erly identify the Alder Ply-catcher. Needless to say this set is now a part of my collection. By this time it was getting rather late in the afternoon, some heavy clouds had come up and a drizzle of rain began, but I had found the nests of three species which 1 had never collected before and consequently my morale was pretty high and what did a little rain matter. Some ten days previous to this I had found a partly constructed nest at the foot of a bush in a little glade about a half mile farther on, so I decided to continue on to there. Arriving at this location there was a patch of low bushes about three feet high and covering an area of perhaps ten yards square, but 1 had forgotten the exact place where the nest had been, so began walking slowly back and forth across the paten, parting the bushes and watching for the bird to flush. The whole area was soon covered, but no bird had been flushed nor could I find the partly built nest. It seemed quite evi- dent that the nest had not been fir ished, but as usual 1 was curious to know just how it had been constructed. of what materials and perhaps to learn of what species. I could not get any wetter than 1 was, so down 1 went in the wet bushes on all fours and began to search every square foot of the ground, having no idea of find- ing a set of eggs, but only to locate the old nest. After some minutes search it was found. There almost under my hand and just the same color as the wet leaves and grass quietly sat a little sparrow on her nest. Very gently 1 moved my hand over and covered her, then raised her from the nest; she did quite a lot of squeal- ing and biting, but soon settled down. The nest contained four richly spotted eggs, but 1 could not identify the bird. After a very close examination I found her to be a female White- throated Sparrow in immature plum- age; the white throat and crown stripes were practically absent and the only marks of certain identifica- tion were the yellow spots in front of the eyes and the small patch of yel- low on the bend of the wings. This bird was banded with Biological Sur- vey band No. 25327, and released. The nest was in a depression and sunk even with the surface of the ground and at the foot of some small bushes. It was composed of dry grass, dead leaves and bits of moss. Lined with fine wire grass and a few hairs. The four eggs were fresh, in color light greenish blue, heavily blotched with rich red brown. This was my first personally taken set of White-throats, and you may be sure that I prize it highly. After carefully packing this set and the nest, it was beginning to get dark and 1 started for home, hungry, wet and tired, but never have I enjoyed a more perfect day. Lieut. L. R. Wolfe, 26th U. S. Infantry, Plattsburg Barracks, N. Y. THE OOLOGIST 61 A CRACKLE'S LESSON. An amusing instance illustrating the seeming analogy between the motives and incidents in the lives of humans and birds so often observed by us. came to my notice one summer day some years ago. We often see actions of birds that seem to us to show clearly their reas- oning or lack of reasoning so very like that observed in humans that we won- der if the processes of evolution are not much more rapid than generally thought, and if we are not much more closely related to our bird and "beast" neighbors in point of time than we think, so that we have not yet lost the habits and processes of reasoning that actuate the lower(?) animals. It may be that our neighbors imi- tate our habits from association with us; or else as is more probable, we read into the instinctive acts of birds and mammals the same actuating mo- tives that we would experience and credit them with the same labored and time-consuming process of reason- ing that we would employ in similar case, whereas their actions are the result of instinct and impulse and per- formed on the spur of the moment, without any conscious reasoning at all. But, be that as it may, it is enter- taining to see the similarity in the.r actions to ours, and in this particular case I speak of, the outcome so well demonstrated and pointed the moral of one of our oft-told parables that I thought it worth recounting. A Flicker family had their home in a Cottonwood stub, standing in our yard. The entrance was about fifteen feet from the ground. I had been keeping pretty close track of their affairs, so one day when I judged the eggs must 1)(" hatched, I rapped sharply on the stul), as a preliminary to ascending to the nest, to cause the mother to fly off. Mother Flicker very promptly left her newly hatched babies and taking her station on a branch near her door began to abuse me in Flicker language, and intermittently to call for her mate. A male Bronze Grackle, whose fam- ily was in a tree some distance away, and who was engaged in a hunt for food for his incubating mate, heard the Flicker's outcry, and recognizing her evident distress, being moved to sympathy because he had family cares, too, stopped, and perching be- side the Flicker lady joined with her in soft "clucks" of sympathy for her and harsh "churrs" of abuse for me. This went on for several minutes, when, the head of the Flicker family, hastening to his distressed mate's aid,, arrived on the scene. A quick survey of the situation convinced him tha'i, since 1 was a familiar object in that vicinity and apparently harmless, the Grackle must be the offender, and so v/ith no delay he went into action. After chasing the misguided sympa- thizer for a quarter of a mile or so, he returned, and finding his mate at home again, the Flicker celebrated his victory with loud chirps, to which his mate responded with soft checkles of approval, never explaining to her mate his mistake, but applauding his valor and promptness in responding to her appeals. To me this pointed moral to the old saw so often referred to in our comic papers about the inadvisibility of in- terfering in a "private fight." Dr. L. .r. Evans, 704 First St., Ft. Myers, Fla. DON'T DO IT. I was much amused in reading Colo- rado Pedioecetes' Altona Farm article in the December Oologist. He cer- tainly uncovered some "halo" spots in the present-day "lime-light" ornitho- logical "science." 52 THE OOLOGIST Some allusions he makes reminds me of a little dialogue I overheard at a meeting of the A. O. U. some twenty years ago, just about the time the A. O. U. began expanding its finances by enlarging its associate membership above the 300 mark by caging the new arrival "lime-lights," with and without university labels (former pre- ferred), who, feeling a "chesty" pride in the elevation, and hearing the con- stant babble of "buwd" clubs every- where, start on a "daddy-long-legs" scramble over the heads o: the old "300", grabbing for the biggest wires possible to land them right side up somewhere above the associate rank. The dialogue referred to took place immediately after the introduction of the wives of two somewhat known ornithologists of rank above associ- ate membership, and was thus, except that 1 use the name of Meriden for convenience and to illusti'ate the grace with which these dainty creat- ures handled the English language: "Oh, ar' the' many buwds about Mewiden, Mrs. So-and-so?" "Oh, yes, the' ar' a gweat many buwds about Mewiden, Mrs. So-and- forth." And so thus, the rare bit of scientific information was settled, but not being a party to the conversation, nor clothed with any right to stand and listen, I cannot say whether Crows, Magpies or just plain Passer domesti- cus made up the list of abundance. Anyway, this all reads like a Christ- mas bird census; but let me protest against the ordinary "Quismas Buwd Census" occupying the valuable pages of the Oologist. What matters it if "Gawge" did see more birds than Jose- phine? Or if "Fwank" and "Gwace" did have a "glo'ious time" in getting lost from the rest of the "buwd pawty"? Or, why grin if some bright "lime-light" did report fat and plump "larvae-eating Warblers" frolicking in zero weather 2,000 miles north of their Christmas home? The most of us get from 35 to 50 pages of these Christmas lists in bird lore, and the fad bids fair to spread over more pages. We want the Oologist for what it's for today, and for what it stood for in yore, while a bunch of the present day "big fellows" were still in their orni- thological swadling garments and eager to read, and yea, to contribute to the pages of the little magazine. Vive La Oologist! Oh, it's all right to go out and ob- serve the birds on Christmas, and any- thing new or unusual is well worth recording, but when you get back home just sit right down and write, for the Oologist, some short article of your past experience, like Miller's "Late Nesting of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo," or the preceding article; or the next one. Or, if the day has been a good stimulant, then some longer article of a more technical character: but don't push the good old Oologist into the fad of an annual "peek-a-boo" day of mere figures and fancies. J. Warren Jacobs. Waynesburg, Pa., January 13, 1923. THE NEWS. There is a dearth of short crisp news items relating to Oology. It is your fault, Mr. Reader. Ye editor cannot tell of rare, unusual, or inter- esting finds unless you write them to us. We want news relating to birds, nests and eggs. Send us the results of your exploration of meadow, tim- ber, swamp and mountain this season — not literally, but figuratively, by writing a post card or short note of every unusual observation. Editor. THE OOLOGIST BGGS Will Exchange personally .aken Florida sets for books. Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. FOR SALE for Cash-^uTl¥tin~C o o p - er Club & Condor, Volumes 1 to 6 in- clusive, complete, except No. 6, Vol. 1 Oologist, Vol. XI. (1S94) complete; Vol. X (1S93) complete, except April, July and November. W. B. Sampson, 1005 North San .Toaquin St., Stockton, Cal. WANTED — For analysis, 1 set each 337 and 339. Must be absolutely fresh, unblown and very carefully packed and sent special delivery parcel post as soon as taken. Write and make agree- ment now. Will give copy of Bent's Diving Birds to the one wlio sends me the two sets this spring. Paul G. Howes, 91 Hope St., Stamford, Conn. Cash if preferred to the book. 2-3^4 FOR SALE — Na. History Books and Magazines. Brent's "N. A. Diving Birds." "N. A. Gulls and Terns," "N. A. Petrels & Pelicans," Coues' "Key," "Birds of NW.," "Birds of Colorado Valley," "Ornithological Bibliography," "Botany & Zoology Mex. Boundary," (scarce, colored plates of birds), "Con- dor," "O. & O.." "Osprey," and many more; send for list. If you have Nat. Hist, literature or a collection of old Postage Stamps to dispose of, let us hear from you. Franklin's, Box 2, Washington, D. C. Postal Permits, Precancelled Stamps and Slogan or Advertising Post Marks for sale or exchange. Correspondence solicited. W. E. Snyder, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. ""U'ANTED — Sets of No. 11, 37, 60, 11 2. 13.5, 137, 183, 186, 207, 213, 217, 230, 253, 261, 264, 276, 301, 305, 309. E. S. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Mass. DAKOTA Birds, eggs, nests, fresh skins for Mounting. Mounted speci- mens. Sale or exchange. F. A. Pat- ton, Artesian, South Dakc)ta. BUTTERFLIES — Just received a new siiipment of South American butterflies in papers unnamed, consisting of Papi- lios Heliconias Catsopilias Calagram- mas, etc., which I will sell in lots of 25 mixed for $5.00 post paid. Each lot contains one Morpho cypres, one of the most biilliant of South American but- terflies; dealers charge $2.50 to $3.60 for the specie alone. A. J. Potter, East Killingly, Conn. l-3t WANTED — Ridgway's "Birds of Nortli and Middle America," volumes 2 and 7, also a Stevens Pocket Sliot- gun — 44 calibre preferred. Harold W. Copeland, 122 Park Ave., Bridgewater, Mass. EXCHANGE— I still have a few years of Oologist to Excliange. Delos Hatch, OakHeld, Wisconsin. WANTED — Bent's Diving Birds For Sale — Nelson's Smaller Mammals of FOR SALE or EXCHANGE— Two speed twin Indian Motorcycle, in good order. Want cash. Mounted birds and Mammals or old cancelled IT. S. and Confederate Stamps. W. E. Snyder, 309 De Clark St., Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. WANTED — Bv H. H. Johnson. PlttS- field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXIII, 5; Vol. XXIV, an;Journal Maine Ornith. Soc, Vol. VI, 4; VII, 1; Nuttall Bulletin, all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornith. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37. 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Ilwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition: King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED — Lepidopters from the West and South West, especially Splin- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay. 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Phila, Pennsylsania. WANTED — ^Prismatic Binoculars. C. S. Sharp. Escondido, Cal. Will give sots nf :Mn oi- piirt cash. How about it? EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published thi.s work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two hundred pages, well illus- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Oolo?y It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. ?,. A history of this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illus- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustra'tions showing proper cabinet arrangements of specimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five on prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Birds and Prices adopted for the exchange of specimens of eggs of each 11. Advertitte- ments. Paper bound copies $1.00. Cloth bound copies $2.00. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. THE OOLOGIST THE « ♦ » WILSON BULLETIN A Biboliograph of scarce or out of A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY print, North American Amateur and Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds in Middle Trade Periodicals, devoted more or North America. Now in its 28th year. less to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- 64 pag-es or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. . .. ^. r, • nc * $1.50 per year, 40 cts. per copy. arate publications. Price 25 cents. Official Organ of j^_^^ R. M. BARNES. WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Lacon, III. Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, . ^^^ 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird JournsJ in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. The OoLOGiST. BIRDS-NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. No. 4. ALBION, N. Y,, April, 1923. Whole No. 432 THE OOLOGIST BRIBF 5PBCJLA.I. Alf MOUNCBIWnNTS Wanted Exchange, For Sale, Btc^ inserted in this davartmMtt at 15 oents for each 26 words for one Issue; aft«n adflltiorfi] word 1 c»Bt. No notice In serted for less than 26 cents. We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for person* having a lawful authority under the law to deal >n the same These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona nde '•Tchang«-8 of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only.— EDITOR ' !OR SALE or EXCHANGE — Butter- llies of New England for California Butterflies. T. Love, Collector, 105 Gro\e, Lynn, Mass. Monograph on the Breedings of the VelI<»Tv Rail — Record of twenty years intensive study in a fascinating region. About fourteen nests covered. Only four other authentic records known. Beautiful Frontispiece of my first nest; and eight other half-tones. An added insert, — contact print, — of the most wonderful nest of all, — entered from below. Twelve pages of text, with manuscript Note on the wonderful find- ing of 1922. Price, Fifty Cents by in- sured post. Inserted contact print of the exquisite set of 1912, Ten Cents ex- tra. Hand-colored copy of this print. Fifty Cents extra. P. B. Peabody, Blue Rapids, Kansas. I have for EXCHANGE sets of^eggs of tlie following species, A. O. U. Nos. : 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, .30, 30a. 31. 31a, 32. 37, 38, 40. 42, 43, 44. 47, 48, 51, 53, 54, 58, 59, 63, 65. 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 80, 81, 81.1, 83, 86, 86a, 104, 106, 107, 114, 114.1, 115, 115.1, 117, 120, 125, 127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144. 150, 160, 167, 169, 172, 172a, 172c, 174, 178, 179, 184, 185, 186, 187. 188, 190, 191, 192. 394, 194b, 196, 199. R. M. Barne'5. Lacon, 111. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE— Wilson Bulletin. Year 1914, to and including 1921. Complete in A. No. 1 condition. What's your offer? A. J. Anderson, 1822 W. Palmer, Sioux City, Iowa. " FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — Goss' Birds of Kansas — Ridgwav's Bulletin 50, Vol. S — Bent's Gulls and Terns. I want Auks, Bird Books and Magazines. Herbert A. Smith, 431 N. Van Buren Ave.. Kirkwood, Mo. WANTED— Oologist Vol. XXXV Nos. 5, 6, 7 and minerals. Can offer Birds' Eggs, Nests, Skins and old stamps. Send your lists. Conrad C. Haase, 14 Igle- hart Ave., St. Paul, Minn. DATA BLANKS — I will print 500 Standard Data Blanks with your name on them for $1.50 postpaid. Edward S. Coombs, 233 W^ashington St., Maiden, Massachusetts. FOR SALE — Birds and Nature Maga- zine bound in double volumes as fol- lows: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 13-14, and volume 11 single. Covers slightly worn but in good second-hand condition. Write W. H. Over. Vermillion. So. Dakota. 2-3 I have some 5000 Indian Relics, most- ly arrows, a few tomahawks, etc., I will exchange for Mounted Specimens or bird eggs, or will sell same for cash. C. E. Pilquist, Dardanelle, Ark^ FOR SALE — Large collection of birds' eggs and nests, mounted birds, shells, corals, sea curios, minerals, carvings, nuts. Ceramics and Indian curios. Must dispose of same at once. H. B. Lutman, Painted Post,_N^_Y. WANTED — Back numbers of Orni- Iliological magazines, especially Condor, ilso any books on Ornithology or Tax- idermy. Egg cabinet also wanted. Write, giving prices. James Suthard, Madisonville, Kentucky. WANTED to hear from collectors having sets of eggs or Bird SIcins to dispose of. Cash or exchange. C. F. Pahrman, 1011 Fourth St., La Porte, Ind. JOHN LORANG, Genesee, Idaho. Col- lector of Idaho Birds eggs, also Bird and Animal Skins for mounting pur- poses. For sale or exchange. A black Squirrel Skin Mounted. FOR SALE — Auk, 1918 and 1920, vol- umes complete, $1.50 each, prepaid. W^ilson bulletin, 1920 volume, 90c. Bi- ological Bulletin 17 and 39 also. Fred Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa. In addition to eggs in sets I am making a cosmopolitan collection of singles. Must have accurate data thor- oughly identified. Offer skins, eggs, or cash. A. W. Hanaford, R. R. 9, Box 1210. Los Angeles, Cal. "Beginners Luck" — A collection of 75 varieties, eggs in sets, at a bargain. Common and not common; a good start for a collector. Also a Woodpecker and sapsucker, group of fifteen varie- ties, very reasonable. Send for lists and prices. Fred Dille, Valentine, Nebr. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — After two years and a half in storage, I have now unpacked my library, bird and mammal collections, and have for sale many duplicate books and O. & O. pub- lications. Also will exchange bird and mammal skins from this section and sets of raptors, finches and Jays. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach, Zoo'l Park and Mu.seun? of Natural History, Miami Beach, Florida. Get a CATALOG Before they are All Gone They are going hery fast. Lc«« than 100 copies are left. I The Oologist. Vol. XL. No. 4. Albion, N. Y. , April, 1923. Whole No. 432 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. BARXES, Albion, X. v., and Lacon, III. TAKE [NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of >onr Oologist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expires with this issue. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903, at the post oflJice at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. - ■ l^- ' (J * Nest and Eggs of Solitary Sand Piper, In Situ, Alberta, Canada 54 THE OOLOGIST Nesting Site Solitary Sand Piper, Peace River, Alberta, Canada. — Photo by A. D. Henderson THE OOLOGIST 55 NESTING OF THE SOLITARY SANDPIPER. June 16, 1914, proved to be rather a notable day for me in the oological line. In the afternoon I went out with the expectation of doing no more than taking a nest of Broad- winged Hawk, which a little girl friend of mine had located. On our way to the nest, she inquired, "Mr. Henderson, is a partridge's nest any good?" "Oh, no," 1 replied, "I have seen a good many of them." "But this is one of those black ones," she said. My indifference immediately vanished, and after taking the set of three broadwings, we went on to the nest of the black partridge, which proved to be the nest of the Canada Grouse, containing five eggs. Surprises did not end here, for she next inquired, "What kind of a snipe builds in a tree?" I told her as far as I knew no snipe built in a tree; it must be some other bird. "Yes," she said, "one of the boys found a Snipe's nest in a tree, and I have seen it." Though 1 was sure a mistake had been made, she insisted it was so, and we went to see it. It was almost dark when we arrived there, and sure enough a Snipe of some kind left the nest, which was about a dozen feet up in a poplar, growing near an old beaver dam. It was too dark for me to identify the bird. I wanted to come back next day and photograph the nest and identify the bird, but unfortunately had no film. By the time I had secured some film and went back for the picture, on the 19th, it was too late. An unusually high wind had blown the nest our of the tree. So the matter rested and I often wondered what kind of a Snipe It could have been and vowed never to be caught without film again. But in 1919 the mystery was solved to my satisfaction, as in talking to an acquaintance of mine who had done some collecting, I remarked that I had never been able to find a nest of the Solitary Sandpiper, though the birds were quite plentiful. "Oh," he said, "I and my brother have found two. They build in old nests of other birds in willow bushes, about the middle of June." Since that time I have been on the lookout for another nest of the Soli- tary Sandpiper, but without success until this season, though in 1920 the young sister of my girl collector found two nests, also in bushes, but did not tell me, as I had been away three years at Peace River, and they did not know 1 was still interested. It is strange how a man can tramp miles of country and find little or nothing, and youngsters out for the cows in the evenings make rare finds. On June 7th, 1922, I received a note marked urgent.from a young friend of mine, saying he had found a Soli- tary Sandpiper's nest with four eggs. I could not go until the 9th to see the long-sought nest. Fearing the eggs would hatch, he had taken them and the parent bird for me, when I arrived. The nest was in a white buck tree, growing at the edge of the timber, on the shore of a small lake, and about 150 yards from his home. A brood of young robins had been raised in it last season, he told me. It was about eighteen feet from the ground and a typical Robin's nest, of grass and mud. The inside lining of grass was gone and the eggs lay in the bare mud cup, no material being added by the Sandpiper, which I identi- fied as the Eastern form of the bird. The eggs were replaced in the nest, and after building a tripod, I was able to get a picture. I also took one from the ground, showing the surroundings. 56 THE OOLOGIST The nest was in the tallest buck in the center of the picture. Since assuring myself that the little girl's Snipe's nest in a tree was that of the Solitary Sandpiper, I have tried to find out something about its breeding habits in different bird books, but I either did not have the right ones, or very little seemed to be known about them. The small pocket bird book by Chester A. Reed seemed the only one to give real, authentic information, as it states they nest in old bird's nests in trees. Oliver Davies mentions an egg taken by him in Ohio, in 1877, but the identi- fication seems far from certain, and his description, "The egg was of a pointed, oval shape and not nearly so pyriform as are the eggs of most of the family, size 1.25x.88, smaller than the eggs of the Spotted Sandpiper. The ground was clay color, with a reddish tinge, thickly marked with reddish and blackish brown," does not coincide in any particular with the eggs now in my collection. The other egg described, taken by Mr. Richardson in Vermont, in 1878, comes nearer, but still differs in size and color. Its description, as given by Davies, is as follows: "It measures 1.32X.90; the ground color is of light drab, similar to that of Oxyechus vociferus; over the surface are scat- tered small round markings of brown; some of these are quite dark; no- where confluent, and not large enough to be called blotches. Its shape was elongated pyriform." In North Amer- ica Shore Birds, l)y D. G. Elliot, the measurement given is 1.37x.95 inches, and it is stated the nest was on the ground, and parent bird secured as she left the nest. The eggs figured by Chester B. Reed, in North American Birds' Eggs, bears no resemblance to mine. It is described as clay colored, spotted with brownish black; no measurements given, and certainly would be a good illustration of an egg of the Spotted Sandpiper. Mr. Reed also mentions a set of five eggs taken by Dr. C. K. Clark, in Ontario, in 1898. All these nests were on the ground, and in only one instance was the parent bird se- cured. There is little uniformity in either color, shape, or measurements in the foregoing descriptions, and I doubt if any one of them were really eggs of the Solitary Sandpiper. I will now give a description of the eggs taken by me, and then measurements, and the reader can judge for himself. In the first place the eggs in my col- lection have a distinct individuality of their own; they can be picked out at a glance from any of the other waders' eggs found in this locality. They could not be mistaken for any of the illustrations of waders' eggs in Reed's Eggs of North American Birds. They are remarkably large for the size of the bird, and measure 1.44x1.00, 1.44x1.01, 1.40x1.00 and 1.47 X.98 inches, respectively. The shape is elongated pyriform, and the ground color greenish, with reddish brown and amber spots, the first predominat- ing, rather sparingly distributed from the small end to past the bulge of the egg, where they join into reddish- brown blotches, shaded with black and amber, and almost obscure the ground color on the blunt top. Since writing the foregoing I have acquired a copy of Canadian Birds, by Macoun, and find therein, that Mr. Walter Raine, of Toronto, has nine sets of Solitary Sandpipers in his col- lection, all taken from old nests of other birds in trees. A. D. Henderson, Belvedere, Alberta, Can. THE OOLOGIST 57 THE SHORT-EARED OWL. Well, dad, I guess Jones will have to kill his team. While he was plough- ing with them this morning they bit off quite a little of his corn. ^'ou ask the reason lor Mr. Jones' shooting his horses? Oh, it's a matter of living up to his principles. Yester- day he shot a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. After the bird had bugged his potato patch, he found it stealing a berry or two. There are any number of Jones' in the world, who, because of lack of insight rather than of principle, de- stroy every bird that happens lo take its rightful share of tribute. They forget the law of the ancients which forbade a muzzle on the oxen when plowing. One of the innocent victims of such persons is the Short-eared Owl. It belongs to the chiefly bene- ficial class, according to the Bureau of Biological Survey. Seventy-five per cent of its food consists of mice. In addition to these it eats gophers, shrews, rabbits, grasshoppers, crickets and beetles. The Short-eared Owl is the bird of the open country and seldom is seen in a tree. It quite frequently hunts by day, especially in cloudy weather. Often at midday it flies about over the fields and meadows searching for rodents and grasshoppers. Its flight is practically noiseless and its wing expanse gives the impression of much greater size. Its body measures a lit- tle more than fifteen inches. In a way it is a bluffer. When cap- tured it elevates its ear tufts or horns and hisses, but goes no further. At times of excitement a ring of white feathers about the face becomes no- ticeable. At breeding time it deposits five to eight white eggs, on the ground, usually beside a bunch of grass. Its diurnal habits, along with a hawk-like appearance, cause many a Jones to shoot it; consequently a goodly number of them are destroyed. Ralph Handsaker, Colo, Iowa. 2,C00 BIRDS FOR PRINCETON. Collection, Gift of Alumnus, Once Owned by Ambler Man. Princeton, N. J., Dec. 8. — (Special.) — A valuable collection of 2,000 birds has been presented to Princeton Uni- versity, for museum purposes, by A. Pardee. Mr. Pardee was graduated from Princeton in the class of 1897. Mr. Pardee purchased the collection from T. S. Gillin, of Ambler, Pa. The gift includes not only mounted birds, but also a large number of skins. There is a group of birds which in- habit eastern North America, while other specimens are from Cuba, Trini- dad, and the Western States of North America. One of the finest specimens is an adult male Passenger Pigeon, a bird which is now extinct. The collection includes about 40 skins of mammals, and about the same number of mount- ed specimens of mammals. From the Philadelphia Evening Bul- letin, of Friday, Dec. 8, 1922. Philip Laurent, Philadelphia, Pa. THE PASSENGER PIGEON. We are informed by O. S. Biggs, of San Jose, Illinois, that one of these birds was killed March 25th, 1901, at Oakford, Illinois, and was mounted by him and is still in existence. Owing to the lateness of the date, we thought this capture worthy of record. R. M. Barnes. 58 THE OOLOGIST EXPERIENCES IN BENTON COUN- TY, ARKANSAS. During the summer of 1922 I had several interesting experiences with the birds found in Benton county. About March 20, in a clump of bushes and grapevines, 1 saw a year- old nest, presumably that of a Shrike. A few days later 1 was surprised to see the tail of a Loggerhead Shrike extending above the edge of the nest, and upon investigation 1 found the nest to be relined and a set of six eggs laid. In examining it, I held my hand over the nest for a moment and was instantly reproved by the male Shrike, who took his stand at one side of the nest and used his bill to good advantage. Later, in a thicket of wild plum trees, I found a Robin's nest, not two feet above the ground, which con- tained a set of four eggs. The mother bird often allowed me to approach to within ten inches of the nest before flying, but would not accept food of- fered by me. In July I had the pleasure of watch- ing the actions of the female Pied- billed Grebe and her one charge in their native haunts, which in this case was a weed and brush-grown pond. In an upright fork of one of these bushes was a Red-winged Blackbird's nest containing a set of four eggs. Both nest and eggs were about the size of those of the Orchard Oriole, and greatly resembled them. Numer- ous other Blackbird nests were of the regular type. The overflow drain from this pond led into a swamp which was a verit- able bird paradise, though few nests were found there; of which, probably, that of a Green Heron was the most interesting. This nest contained three eggs. During the entire summer I found between 100 and 125 nests, which were of the following species: Log- gerhead Shrike, Chipping Sparrow, Green Heron, Brown Thrasher, Flick- er, Dove, Cliff Swallow, Robin, Wood Pewee, Orchard Oriole, Cardinal, Tow- hee. Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, Catbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Pied-billed Grebe, Crow, Dickcissel, Quail, Phoebe, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Meadowlark, Yellow-breasted Chat, Crested Flycatcher, Bluejay, Yellow Warbler, Kingbird and Bewick Wren. J. G. Lewis, Bentonville, Ark. PLUMBEOUS CHICKADEE 1 have found many nests of this bird. One nest I found went through an unusual tear up, but at last I got the set. I found the nest March 17 and tore open the hole, but there were no eggs. So I closed it up again, and tied the bark with string. March 19 one egg was laid. I took the bird off the nest; she was very tame. Again I called in a few days and re- moved the bird from the nest. She was still tame. On March 25 I col- lected a set of seven eggs, fresh. The nest was five feet up in a dead tree, near a small creek that runs into Lake Worth. Ramon Graham, Texas Bird Notes, 1923. THE FLIGHT OF GULLS. Robert C. Miller was awarded the Cooper Club prize of Ornithology offered by the University of California, 1921-2, for the best study of any sub- ject concerning the birds, for his pa- per, "A Study of the Flight of Sea Gulls," published in the January, "The Condor." It shows exhaustive investi- gation and careful preparation, and we have no doubt but that the award was very properly made. Mr. Miller is to be congratulated. R. M. Barnes. THE OOLOGIST 59 TRIP TO DELAWARE. (March 10th, 1923.) In company with my uncle, George H. Stuart, 3rd, Esq., and Edward Nor- ris, Esq., I took a trip to Smyrna, Kent county, Delaware, the object being to procure a set of eggs of the Bald Eagle. While on the train going to Smyrna, we saw a large flock of Pintails, num- bering about 75, near Newport, and another flock near New Castle, num- bering about 10. We also saw a small flock of Horned Larks flying low over a field, near Porter, Delaware. Arriving at our destination, we were met at the station by a farmer, named Mr. Arthur Stokesbury. He informed us that the roads were very bad, on account of the recent rains and snows. We went to his house, where we put on our old clothes, and before starting on our hunt, he told us that he had engaged a colored boy, whom he called "Hambone," to climb to the Eagle's nest. While driving to the woods, in Mr. Stokesbury's Ford, we saw a beautiful Sparrow Hawk, flying about 40 feet from the side of the car. When we arrived at the woods, my uncle, Mr. Stokesbury and "Hambone" left us, to look for the nest, and Mr. Norris and I went in another direction, look- ing for the nest, also. Pretty soon they found the nest, which was about 35 feet from the ground and built in a sweet gum tree. "Hambone" climbed to the nest, but, much to our disap- pointment, he said it was empty. Mr. Norris and I then took a short walk and saw the following birds: Killdeer, Red-headed Woodpecker, Towhee, Mourning Dove, Woodcock, Marsh Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cardinal, Field Sparrow, White- throated Sparrow, Chickadee, Meadow- lark, covey of Bob White (about 12), Carolina Wren. We also saw the following birds,- which were very abundant: Turkey Buzzard, Fox Sparrow, Blue- bird, Crow, Slate-colored Junco; also saw a flock of Purple Crackles and Red-winged Blackbirds. We noted the following trees: Sweet gum, pin oak, white oak, pop- lar, white cedar, red cedar, hickory, elm and shellbark. Although the trip was not a suc- cessful one, it was very enjoyable. Total, 22 species seen. Edward T. Stuart, Jr., Philadelphia. Pa. AN EASTERNER GONE WEST. In moving from the East (New York State) to the West (Kansas) a person certainly runs up against absolutely different ornithological conditions. In fact, Kansas seems to have quite a fauna of its own. The writer moved during the spring of 1922 from central New York State to southeastern Kansas, and during that time has had an opportunity of getting out in the field a little, but not nearly as much as he wished. I have heard that Kansas is called the "Hawk State," and from my ob- servations I am beginning to believe it. A person can at any time of year take a short trip out of town and run into from a dozen to twenty or thirty hawks. Naturally, he sees most of them sailing over the open prairie, and many are sitting on cottonwood trees, resting up a bit, or digesting their breakfast or dinner, as the case may be. Another place a person is nearly always liable to see the birds is at the topmost point of a straw or hay stack. The hawks seem to prefer the stacks to any other hunting ground. The predominating hawk, at least at this time of year, seems to be the American Rough Leg. These Hawks 60 THE OOLOGIST have happened to come under my ob- servation more than any other species. They are not hard to approach, es- pecially from an automobile, and one can at times drive right up under them, stop the car, and therefore ob- serve them at close range. I have had the good fortune of securing several extra fine specimens of this Hawk in full adult plumage as well as imma- ture. Also a bird of the second or third year which, although in full plumage, shows a great difference in size. Other species of Hawks commonly noted are: Marsh Hawk, Coopers, Redtail, Swainsons, and the little Sparrow Hawk is everywhere. The writer has also seen a Redtail which showed up with a very white body and tail. This bird is undoubtedly the Kriders Redtail. Kansas has had an unusually mild winter. Not a flake of snow has fallen so far in these parts. Consequently many birds have wintered over that would not have ordinarily. Red birds have been common. Meadowlarks have stayed in large flocks, and many Robins have been seen. On February 24th the writer took a short trip in the field. The weather was typical April spring weather back East. Many birds were noted, and among them were: Many Migrating Sparrows were In evidence. Bluebirds, Robins, Meadow- larks, Downy and Hairy Woodpeck- ers, Flickers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Tufted Tit- mice, Juncos, Killdeer Plover, Mocking Birds, Towhees, Horned Larks, Cardi- nals, White-rumped Shrikes, Black- birds, Crows, Mourning Doves, and several species of Hawks. There is no news in this little arti- cle of importance to the bird man. However, the writer "felt inclined," and thought he would give an East- erner's idea of a few ramblings in Kansas. Carl F. Wright, Wichita, Kan. MORE CLECKLEY! Ernest H. Short sends us a check, dated February 24th, drawn in his favor by M. T. Cleckley, on the Au- gusta Savings Bank of Rochester, N. Y., which was returned because of want of sufficient funds. We have so frequently warned our readers regarding this man Cleckley, that we are astonished any one would be caught by him. There was a time when Cleckley was all right, but he has fallen upon evil ways. The Editor. OWL SITS ON BROADWAY. A small wild-eyed Owl sat by the warmth of the electric light in a Broadway sign and contentedly ob- served the passing throng. It was a cold and wet Monday night, but he was warm and dry in his bril- liant retreat, and his feathers fluffed soft and dry. The small boys couldn't hoot him away, nor did the groups who noticed him seem to disturb his reveries. If he were considering the bringing of his relatives from the woods about Columbia to enjoy the white lights of Broadway with him, it might well be taken as an appro- priate symbol of a University town. The Owl, being sacred to Minerva, goddess of wisdom, through all the ages, has caused many discussions; many people claim that he just looks wise. But his renown having been established in dim antiquity is his for all time to come. Johnson Neff, 1110 Paquin St., Columbia, Mo, THE OOLOGIST 61 NESTING OF THE COOPER'S HAWK IN PHILADELPHIA. The Cooper's Hawk is a rare breed- er in Philadelphia, but since the abol- ishment of spring shooting, and the abandonment of many farms during the past several years, this Raptore is increasing here. Previous to 1922 [ had been unable to find but one nest actually in the city limits, but in that year I located three. All of these nests were found in the northeastern part of the city, in thinly settled dis- tricts, and in small woodlots on farms. None of them were any great distance from a farm house. I found my first nest in Buzby's Thicket, near Frankford, a large tract of pin oaks, elms, sweet gum and other trees on the clay flats, and on May 7, 1917. It was well in the woods, situated about 40 feet up in a pin oak, and held four fresh eggs. This woods has since been felled, with the ex- ception of a few acres, and was sur- rounded entirely by farm land, a brick yard being closely on the north corner, and a railway ran past it, a few rods distant, on the southwest side. During 1922, I found three Cooper's Hawks' nests, viz: Two on May 15, and the third on May 29. The latter, about 70 feet up in a tulip tree, was not afterward visited, it being lined at that late date, and I never went back for it. The two other nests were visited on May 15, and complete sets of three eggs taken from each ; small sets, but absolutely complete, as incu- bation was well advanced in each set. The first nest was about 50 feet up in a beech tree in a wood on Penny- pach Creek, Bustleton, and the other was about the same height up in a pin oak in a wood lot near Fox Chase. These sets made the fourth and fifth clutches of three Cooper's Hawk's eggs I had collected during the past two years, whereas previously I al- ways had taken complements of four and five eggs. It would appear that the Cooper's Hawks curtailed their sets for some reason. However, I did collect a set of five eggs in April, 1922, for a friend, the only Cooper's Hawk's nest examined containing over three eggs during the past two years. These Cooper's Hawks' nests, like all Cooperi nests I have ever exam- ined, were built exclusively by the birds, and none were old crows' nests repaired, as I have read that the Hawks often use old Crows' nests, but never in my experience. Richard F. Miller, Philadelphia, Pa. TROPICAL BIRDS. By Auston Houston. Do you love birds? Then you would enjoy a visit to the tropics. Nowhere will such a variety of the feathered tribe be found as in the forests and jungles of the tropics. Brazil alone has more than sixteen hundred species and most of these are inhabitants of the Amazon Basin. On all sides there are birds that whistle, chirrup, croak, coo, warble, or make discordant cries. Few of them are songsters like our northern birds. Those that do sing are more somber in color than the others, which seems to be an effort toward compensaition. Parrots fly over the invaders of these regions in screaming flocks, or alight on the trees and nestle to- gether in loving couples, when their screeching becomes tender chirrup- ings. Most of these birds have beau- tiful feathers, so that one sees flashes of disintegrated rainbows on all sides. Sometimes there are hundreds of birds of many different species to- gether, all moving with the greatest activity. The woodpeckers climb up 62 THE OOLOGIST the trunks, while Ant-Thrushes, Hum- mingbirds, and Flycatchers flit among the leaves and lower branches. The bustling crowd loses no time, and al- though moving in concert, each bird is occupied on its own account in searching bark or leaf or twig. In a few minutes the entire host may be gone, and the forest will then remain deserted and silent. These miscel- laneous foraging parties are quite a noticeable feature, especially in the Amazon district. They seem to travel together for mutual profit and pro- tection. Pleasant, indeed, it is to sit in the cool shade of the tropical forest and watch these gorgeously hued birds. The Indian natives are very fond of pets, and there is scarcely a hut where a bird or a beast is not kept. They will tame intractable Parrots in a few days. They allow the birds full lib- erty, instead of confining them to a cage, and the birds seldom violate this confidence. The Toucan is a sort of caricature, with its long bill, which it turns from side to side with an old fashioned look. The largest Toucan is about two feet in length, of which one-fourth is taken up by the bill and another fourth by the tail. Specimens of bills seven inches long and two inches wide have been found. Its colors are black, white, yellow and red. The bill is beautifully painted red, brown and yellow. The principal use of the Tou- can's bill, and in the Parrot, as well, is that of a weapon to defend itself against its enemies. U is a wise provision that a bird in the tropics should be provided with some special protection, when one re- calls the great number of predatory anim9.1s searching for nests and de- vouring the eggs as well as the young birds. There is likewise great danger from the immense armies of foraging ants that occasionally overrun the forests. The birds are ever on the alert for the scouts of these advancing armies, for if the scouts are killed no word will reach the main body of a nest of helpless young birds. The Toucan appears most comical when hopping about for food, and the long bill is very useful in reaching into corners and crevices. During most months of the year, it is en- countered in single individuals or small flocks, and is then very wary. Several may be seen among the high- est branches of the trees giving vent to their loud, shrill, yelping cries, with one bird mounted higher than the rest and apparently acting as leader of this inharmonious chorus. The cry sounds something like to-ca- no, and hence this name was given it by the Indians. The Toucan makes a very amusing pet, and is as easily domesticated as the Parrot. Another gaudy bird is the Macaw, which belongs to the Parrot tribe. In flying, this bird shows red on the under surface, and in turning, combina- tions of blue, red and yellow gleam in the sunshine. They are long-lived, and some specimens have been known to reach a yard in length. It screams with harsh, discordant notes as it flies, seeming to proclaim to all the world that it fears no foe. Its for- midable beak protects it from every danger, for no Hawk, or even a mon- key, dares attack a bird so strongly armed. Were it not so its loud cries and brilliant color would simply pro- claim its presence and invite destruc- tion. With the small Parrots, such as Paroquets, it is different, for most of these are colored green, which makes them almost indistinguishable amid the foliage. One might gaze in- tently at a tree harboring scores of these small green Parrots, making an incessant noise, and not distinguish THE OOLOGIST li3 oue. The true Parrots generally are green, with a red border on the wings, and yellow breast. The Tanager is a very common bird in the tropics. The male bird has a beautiful velvety purple and black plumage, with a patch of fiery red above the tail, and with a bill partly white. In i':s habits the Tanager re- sembles the common House Sparrow, being just as lively, restless, bold, and wary. Its notes are chirping and in- harmonious, and it loves the neighbor- hood of man, but does not build its nests on houses. The Japim is a sort of Magpie, with rich yellow and black plumage. Its nest is shaped like a purse, about two feet in length, and is suspended from the slender branches of trees. The Japim is a noisy, stirring and babbling creature, constantly passing to and fro and chattering to its comrades. The build- ing of hanging nests is quite common among tropical birds, for in that way they have better protection from pre- datory animals and ants. The Motmot is a curious little olive- green and brown bird very common in American tropics. Its most con- spicuous feature is a long curious tail, which it moves from side to side until it is nearly at right angles to its body. In the home of the White Egrets these birds will be seen flying on all sides. As night sets, the trees and bushes gleam like great white flowers among the dark green foliage. The Trogan is another conspicuous bird of the tropics, with dark green feathers above, carmine underneath, and wings that are speckled with white and black. Its flight is short, quick, jerky flights. The Trogans are constantly calling to each other, and are thus easily discovered. The na- tives call them "viduas." which means ■'widows." Hummingbirds equal in num])er, if they do not exceed, all the other trop- ical birds together. They have a chirp not greatly unlike that of some in- sects. The sparkling pools are the favorite resorts of these fairy-like creatures. Clothed in the!r purple i.nrt emerald and golden glory, they will hang, suspended in the air, dart into the pool, and then disappear like a flash of light. Every day in the cor);er hours of the morning and evening they will be seen hovering around the many flowering trees and vines. They dart to and fro so swiftly that the eye can scarcely follow their movements. — The Classmate, W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. EARLY. J. W. Morse, Tulsa, Oklahoma, re- ports a set of Great Horned Owls, and another of Barred Owls eggs and nest- ing location being excavated by Pile- ated Woodpeckers, in his letter of March 5th. W. E. Snyder, Beaver Dam, Wis., in his letter of March 3rd, reports the arrival of the Song Sparrow, at that point ahead of the Bluebird, which is unusual, and we might add that at our home the Bluebird has not yet put in its appearance, and is already long overdue. R. M. B. THE STARLING. Ernest H. Short writes us that in his resume, relating to the Starling printed last month, the statement should have been that two pairs bred, instead of two hundred, evidently an error of whoever prepared his copy. Also he says, relating to the set of eggs in Mr. Darlington's collection, re- ferred to in Mr. Jacobs' article, he, Short, wrote, "I could not make any- thing else but Sulphur Bellied Fly- catcher, taking eggs and nests into consideration." R. M. B. 64 THE OOLOGIST HUNTER'S LUCK. The sun was on its weary way try- ing to get through the high mountains. Also two hunters were on tlieir weary way trying to make it to a certain stretch in the mountain before the sun got up. My fatlier and I took a southwestern course from camp in search of deer. Plenty of signs were found. We intended to go south so far, then separate and make a drive against the north wind. It was new territory to me, but my father had been over this route. Just at the break of day we heard wild turkeys flopping out of the trees in a canyon and flying to the open country above. These turkeys, about 100, had a jolly time as we watched them cross the canyon. They gobbled and putted and acted as if they didn't think there was a hunter within a hundred miles. I wanted to make a slip and kill some of them, but my father said no, it won't do, we are hunting deer; we will soon be in the deer range on top the bluff where the turkeys are. So we let them feed peacefully away. We sat down and watched them as they went away, gobbling and putting, happily and undisturbed. They soon got out of hearing. Then we made it through the rocks and on the top of the bluff to the deer range. My father told me to make a drive, keep- ing the moon on one side of me and the coming sun on the other. He separated from me and took another course. 1 lingered along slowly, see- ing lots of small game, armadillos and rattlesnakes; now and then a coyote yelled in the distance. I soon found that I had made a complete circle and was back in camp again. So I beat it back to the deer country, as the sun was well up and I could keep my bear- ings. I sa wa doe now and then, but not a buck. Bang! I heard a shot, not far away, and I went over and found my father and another hunter that he had met. They were following a bloody trail over the rocks. We trailed his buck for a mile or more to where he went into a deep canyon, thickly underbrushed. Here we gave up the trail as useless, and then my father related the story of the deer. He had walked slowly up a sloping, rocky part of a big draw that led into the canyons. As he reached the top, a perfect picture stood in a small opening in plain view. It was a big buck with many points. He shot and the buck turned a backward somer- sault and landed in some brush. Father got out his knife to stick the buck and walked slowly to him, as he struggled in the brush. Up got Mr. Buck, snorted, and made it away, my father not getting another shot. We then took the trail for home. Ramon Graham, 1923, Fort Worth, Tex. LARGE SETS. The following list of large sets in the collection of Mr. W. A. Strong, is sent us. An examination of this list will disclose many unusual sets, yet many larger sets are scattered about in the various collections. We have many sets of species here listed that are much larger than Mr. Strong re- fers to — for instance A. O. U. Nos. 219 1-17, 144 1-17, 316 1-4, 456 1-7, and many others. R. M. Barnes. 6 7/9— Pied-billed Grebe, June 17, 1900. Walter C.Wood, St. Clair Flats, Mich. 58 21 '4— Laughing Gull, May 18, 1894. E. A. Mcllhenny, Last Island, La. 58 78 4— Laughing Gull, May 18, 1894. E. A. Mcllhenny, Last Island, La. 77 14 6— Black Tern, June 18, 1899. J. Claire Wood, Lake St. Clair, Mich. 130 2 11 — Red - breasted Merganser, May 24, 1913. Walter Raine & Son, French River, Canada. 132 a 10— Mallard. June 30, 1910. THE OOLOGIST 65 Elmer Langevin, Crookston, Minn. 135 1/17— Gadwall. June 6, 1893. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 135 75/10— Gadwall, June 2, 1912. A. Treganza, Salt Lake Co., Utah. 137 110 10- Baldpate, May 25, 1914. Antwonet Treganza, Boxelder Co., Utah. 139 155 10 — Green-winged Teal, June 4, 1912. Edward Treganza, Boxelder Co., Utah. 139 1/10 — Green-winged Teal, May 17, 1906. W. Raine, Saskatchewan, Can. 140 1/10— Blue-winged Teal, June 3, 1894. Edwin S. Bryant, Devils Lake, N. Dak. 141 1/10— Cinnamon Teal, May 30,1914. W. Leon Dawson, Los Banos, Cal. 141 80 /ll — Cinnamon Teal, May 28, 1915. Mrs. A. O. Treganza, Salt Lake Co., Utah. 146 1/10 and 137 1— Redhead, June 5, 1911. Edward Treganza, Salt Lake Co., Utah. 146 3/10— Redhead, June 16, 1896. E. 5. Ralfe, Alberta, Canada. 148 4/11 — American Scaup Duck, June 8. 1906. W. Raine & Son, Alberta, Canada. 150 a/10 — Ring-necked Duck, June 10, 1906. W. Raine & Son, Alberta, Can. 15111/11 — American Golden-eye, May 24, 1895. Edwin S. Bryant, Devils Lake, N. Dak. 178 1 /12— Fulvous Tree-duck, June 2, 1916. A. S. Vrooman, Fresno Co. Cal. 190 1/5— American Bittern, May 30, 1900. Frank Zesch, Jr., Erie Co., N. Y. 190 1/5— American Bittern, May 20, 1909. Walter C. Wood. Wayne Co., Mich. 1911/5— Least Bittern, June 6, 1902. Walter C. Wood, Wayne Co.. Mich. 191 1 /5— Least Bittern, June 1, 1916. Edward E. Court, Alex. Co., Va. 194 5/6— Great Blue Heron. May 3. 1902. Walter C. Wood. Wayne Co., Mich. 194 1 5— Great Blue Heron, May 3, 1902. J. Claire Wood, Oakland Co.. Mich. 194 1/5— Great Blue Heron, May 5, 1893. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co. Cal. 197 8 5 — Snowy Heron, May 15. 1910. M.R.Cheesman, Salt Lake Co.. Utah. 200 8/5— Little Blue Heron, April 24, 1913. J. A. Dakin, Fruitland, Fla. 201 1/6— Green Heron, June 12, 1904. Frank Zesch, Jr., Erie Co., N. Y. 201 1/8— Green Heron, May 30, 1918. E. A. Sikken, Prince George Co., Md. 202 14/6 — Black-crowned Night Heron, April 15, 1917. E. A. Sikken, Clarks Co., Md. 210 33/9— California Clapper Rail, April 24, 1904. H. O. Jenkins, Santa Clara Co., Cal. 211 2/12— Clapper Rail, May 12, 1909. For Dr. Cleckley. Hamlin. S. C. 211a 2/11 — Louisiana Clapper Rail, April 30, 1893. W. E. Grovet, Gal- veston, Tex. 211c 2/9 — Wayne's Clapper Rail, May 4. 1906. T. D. Perry, Chatham Co., Georgia. 212 1/13— Virginia Rail, June 5, 1906. Edward Zesch, Bowmansville, N. Y. 213 1 10— Spotted Crake, June 1, 1907. A. T. Copeland. Nasian, Germany. 214 1 16— Sora Rail, June 8, Edward Zesch, Erie Co., N. Y. 218 1/7— Purple Gallinule, April 19, 1908. Oscar E. Baynard, Orange Lake, Fla. 219 1/12— Florida Gallinule, June 9, 1901. Walter C. Wood, Detroit River, Can. 219 b 12— Florida Gallinule, June 7, 1907. David E. narrower, Philadel- phia Co., Pa. 221 1/11— American Coot, June 6, 1893. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 285 4/4— Oyster-catcher, May 16, 1897. W. Raine, Walney Island, England. 289 1 17— Bob White— June 25, 1898. J. T. Overstrut, Smith Co., Tenn. 289a 6/15— Florida Bob White, April 66 THE OOLOGIST 29, 1885. F. T. Pamber, Miami, Fla. 283a 68 /14— Chestnut-bellied. Sealed Partridge, June 19, 1891. D. B. Bur- rows, Star Co., Tex. 294 1 / 12— California Partridge, June 13, 1894. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co. Cal. 294a 1/14— Valley Partridge, May 3, 1916. For N. K. Carpenter. San Diego Co., Cal. 295 X /15— Gambel's Partridge, April 26, 1896. John W. Mitchell, Los Angeles Co., Cal. 300 1 /12— Ruffed Grouse, May 26, 1912. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 300a 1/15— Canadian Ruffed Grouse, May 24, 1914. W. Raine, Ontario, Can. 3011 10 — Willow Ptarmigan, June 14, 1907. J. R. K., Tornea, Lapland. 208b 11/9 — Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, May 19, 1897. Eugene S. Rolfe, Ben- son Co., N. Dak. 309 1/9— Sage Grouse, May 11, 1896. W. L. Burnett, Carbon Co., Wyo. 311 1/4— Chacalaca, May 11, 1891. For T. H. Jackson, Tamps, Mex. 331 11/7— Marsh Hawk, June 8, 1896. E. S. Bryant, Ramsey Co., N. Dak. 331 3 /6 — Marsh Hawk, May 19, 1907. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 333 1/6— Cooper's Hawk, May 25, 1884. For F. B. Spaulding, Lancaster, N. H. 335 16/5— Harris' Hawk, May 13, 1899. F. B. Armstrong, Corpus Chrlsti, Tex. 337b 1/5— Western Red-tail, April 7, 1896. R. H. Beck, Santa Clara Co.. Cal. 337b 1/4 — Western Red-tail, March 22, 1894. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 337b 11/4— Western Redtail, March 27, 1902. C. S. Thompson, Paso Robles, Cal. 339 5/5 — Red-shouldered Hawk, April 19, 1903. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 339 2/5— Red-shouldered Hawk, April 19, 1901. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 339b 1 /6 — Red-bellied Hawk, May 5, 1894. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 339b 1 /4— Red-bellied Hawk, March 18, 1897. C. E. Grosbeak, Los Angeles Co., Cal. 374 IV '4 — Rough-leggedHawk, May 19, 1900. G. Westway, Scandinavia. 348a 3/5 — Ferruginous Rough-leg, Apl. 30, 1897. J. R. Croine, Benson Co., N. Dak. 252 1/3— Bald Eagle, March 13, 1904. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 352 2/3— Bald Eagle, Feb. 21, 1913. E. A. Sikken and E. J. Court, Fair- fax Co., Va. 355 10/5— Prairie Falcon, May 19, 1904. W. A. Bowman, Assinobia, Canada. 355 5/5— Prairie Falcon, April 8, 1914. Fred Truesdale, Kern Co., Cal. 356 1/4— Duck Hawk, May 29, 1902. Edw. Dodd, Stark Co., N. Dak. 358 3/6 — Richardson's Pigeon Hawk, June 3, 1901. W. Raine, Saskatche- wan, Canada. 358.1 1 5— Merlin, May 29, 1914 Cumberland. 359.1 CF 5— Kestral, May 26, 1899. Mark Brandenburg, Germany. 360a 1/6 — Desert Sparrow Hawk, April 18, 1894. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 364 1/4 — American Osprey, April 28, 1917. E. A. Sikken and E. J. Court, St. Mary Co., Md. 364 2 /4 — American Osprey, May 4, 1919. E. K. Schleichert, St. Mary Co., Md. 365 1/6 — American Barn Owl, March 22, 1893. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 365 4 6— American Barn Owl, May 6, 1906. J. B. Dixon, Pasadena, Cal. 366 1 /5 — American Long-eared Owl, April 16, 1900. C. L. Panter, Escon- dido, Cal. 366 1/5 — American Long-eared Owl, May 20, 1894. R. H. Beck, Santa Clara Co., Cal. 367 1/5 — Short-earned Owl, April 26, THE 00L0GI8T 67 1918. Harry Aldous, Salt Lake City, Utah. 368 1 4— Barred Owl, Feb. 27, 1917. E. A. Sikken, Prince George Co., Md. 378 1 10— Burrowing Owl, April 20, 1894. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 378a o 11 8 — Florida Burrowing Owl, April 3, 1898. A. M. Nicholson, Kis- simmee Prairie, Fla. 381 H3 4— Elf Owl, June 1, 1904. F. C. Willard, Tucson, Ariz. 383 1 9— Ani, May 6, 1889. F. H. How- ard, Dutch Guiana. 384 16 5— Grove-billed Ani, May 3, 1904. F. B. Armstrong, Tamps, Mex. 385 1/6— Road Runner. Feb. 4, 1887. For E. Ricksecken, Cornal Co., Tex. 390 c 7— Belted Kingfisher, May 15, 1884. F. H. Carpenter, Rehoboth, Mass. 390 xl 7— Belted Kingfisher, May 26. 1907. Edw. Reinecke, Niagara Falls, New York. 402 1/6— Yellow-bellied Saps u eke r. May 26, 1907. P. E. Peabody, M. D., Oakland Co., Mich. 402 16 — Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, May 30, 1902. J. Claire Wood, Oak- land Co., Mich. 407a a 7 — California Woodpecker, May 1, 1910. A. C. Shelton, Sonoma Co., Cal. 408 26/7 — Lewis' Woodpecker D. M. Andrews, Boulder, Colo. 410 7 6 — Golden-fronted Woodpecker, April 3, 1900. F. B. Armstrong, Brownsville, Tex. 411 1 4 — Gila Woodpecker, May 18, 1908. H. H. Kimball, Fort Lowell. Ariz. 412 1 8— Flicker, May 27, 1888. S. W. Denton, Wellesley, Mass. 412a 1 12— Northern Flicker, June 10, 1897. C. N. Davis, Branchport, N. Y. 412a 1 8— Northern Flicker, May 28, 1906, P. E. Moody, M. D., Oakland Co., Mich. 413 1/9— Red-shafted Flicker, May 26, 1909. Edward Treganza, Tooele Co., Utah. 413 4 /8— Red-shafted Flicker, May 22, 1894. R. F. Milton, San Barnardino, Cal. 413a X 7 — Northwestern Flicker, May 5, 1897. E. S. Brooks. Chillewack, B. C. 414 1 4— Gilded Flicker, May 28. 1908. H. H. Kimball, Fort Lowell, Ariz. 447 2 6 — Arkansas Kingbird, May 8, 1895. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 447 3/6— Arkansas Kingbird, May 30, 1896. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 448 15 — Cassin's Kingbird, May 12, 1906. Pete Janregui, Santa Paula, Cal. 452 1 7 — Crested Flycatcher, June 2, 1902. H. H. Spicer, Wayne Co., Mich. 252 1/6 — Crested Flycatcher, June 5, 1821. J. O. Johnson, Southington, Conn. 453a 4 6 — Mexican Crested Flycatcher, May 2, 1900. F. B. Armstrong, Brownsville, Tex. 456 3 6— Phoebe, May 13, 1917. A. Sikken, Prince George Co., Md. 457 1 5— Say's Phoebe, May 19, 1914. Guy Love, Decatur Co., Kan. 458 11 15— Black Phoebe, May 7, 1898. E. Adams, San Jose, Cal. 474b 15 — Prairie Horned Lark, May 3, 1905. Walter C. Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 475 2 8 — American Magpie, May 19, 1906. Walter Raine, Alberta, Can. 476 6 7 — Yellow-billed Magpie, April 3, 1897. V. W. Owen, Mesated. Cal. 477 c 6— Bluejay, May 20, 1894. F. H. Carpenter, E. Provo, R. 1. 478c 7/5 — Black-headed Jay, April 28, 1914. A. O. Treganza, Utah Co., Utah. 480 25 5— Woodhouse Jay, April 16, 1909. H. C. Burt, Bernardo River, Cal. 481 1 5— California Jay, April 13, 1895. Ernest Adams, San Jose, Cal. 482 2 5— Arizona Jay, April 24, 1898. (38 THE OOLOGIST H. H. Wright, Cochise Co., Ariz. 483 21,6— Green Jay, April 18, 1900. P. B. Armstrong, Brownsville, Tex. 486 1 5 — American Raven, April 9, 1891. J. T. Adams, El Paso, Tex. 487 p 8 — White-necked Raven, March 17, 1900. J. M. Carroll, Midland Co., Tex. 488 2 7 — American Crow, April 14, 1897. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 488b D 5— Western Crow, April 9, 1914. M. C. Badger, Santa Paula, Cal. 490 4 5— Fish Crow, May 10, 1888. H. G. Parker, Seven-mile Beach, N. J. 494 14 7— Bobolink, May 26, 1900. A. W. Plumb, Rankin, Mich. 494 4 7— Bobolink, May 30, 1900. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 497 17 — Yellow-headed Blackbird, May 10, 1894. For Anna Wolfe, Lathrop, Cal. 498 5 '5— Red-winged Blackbird, May 19, 1901. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 498a 6 5 — Sonoran Redwing, April 12, 1907. C. W. Hartranft, Phoenix, Ariz. 498d 3 /5 — Thick-billed Redwing, June 1, 1906. W. Raine & Son, Alberta, Canada. 498e 2 5 — San Diego Redwing, April 16, 1886. F. T. Pamber, Riverside, Cal. 498t' x 5 — Nortwestern Redwing, May 21, 1884. G. C. Clark, Mallieur Lake, Ore. 499 1 5— Bicolored Blackbird, May 10, 1891. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 501 a 6— Meadowlark, May 26, 1918. Elmer Langevin, Crookston, Minn. 501a 1 '5 — Texan Meadowlark, June 19, 1895. W. A. Mathers, Albeica, Tex. 501b 1 /5 — Western Meadowlark, May 26, 1893. Dr. Jeaunm, Converse Co., Wyo. 505a C 6 — Arizona Hooded Oriole, Apl. 26, 1906. B. W. Panter, San Diego, Cal. 507 16— Baltimore Oriole, May 31, 1896. Frank Zesch, Jr., Ontario, Can. 508 1 /6— Bullock's Oriole, May 22, 1893. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 510 F 6— Brewer's Blackbird, May 17, 1899. H. H. Dunn, Placentia, Cal. 511 10 '5 — Purple Grackle, May 15, 1893. F. C. Willard, Galesburg, III. 511b 1/6— Bronzed Grackle, May 8, 1898. P. D. Getty, McLean Co., 111. 513 5/5— Boat-tailed Grackle, April 30, 1913. M. T. Cleckley, Little Sappelo Island, Ga. 513a 2/6 — Great-tailed Grackle, May 19, 1919. J. J. Carroll, Refugio, Tex. 519 1 6— House Finch, April 17, 1913. W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. 529 1/6 — American Goldfinch, Aug. 2, 1901. Bradshaw Swales, Wayne Co., Mich. 533 32/5— Pine Siskin, May 22, 1909. D. E. Brown, King Co., Wash. 549 1/5 — Sharp-tailed Sparrow, June 10, 1891. W. G., Queens Co., N. Y. 563 1 /5— Field Sparrow, May 24, 1904. Walter C. Wood, Oakland Co., Mich. 583 152 5 — Lincoln's Sparrow, July 11, 1913. Antwonet Treganza, Salt Lake Co., Utah. 584 1 6 — Swamp Sparrow, May 20, 1897. Edward Reinecke, Buffalo, N. Y. 591b 1/5 — California Towhee, May 4, 1891. Rollo H. Beck, Santa Clara Co., Cal. 594 1 '5 — Arizona Pyrrhuloxia, May 1, 1894. W. D. Garnett, Cooks Co., Tex. 598 1 /5— Indigo Bunting, June 13, 1909. Ottomar Reinecke, Niagara Co., N. Y. 604 1/5— Dickcissel, May 16, 1915. R. L. More, Vernon, Tex. 605 8/.5— Lark Bunting, June 6, 1901. F. M. Dille, Boulder Co., Colo. 611 3/6— Purple Martin, April 28, 1889. T. C. Pearson, Alachua Co., Fla. 614 1 6— Tree Swallow, May 21, 1898. P. E. Moody, M. D., Oakland Co., Mich. THE OOLOGIST 69 616 1 6— Bank Swallow. June S, 1902. H. H. Spicer. Lake St. Clair. Mich. 617 3 7 — RouRh-winged Swallow, May 31, 1908. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co.. Mich. 622 1 7 — Loggerhead Shrike. June 13. 1893. L. Whitfield. Tallahassee, Fla. 622b 1 7— California Shrike, March 25. 1894. R. H. Beck, Santa Clara Co.. Cal. G22e 9 6— Migrant Shrike, April 20, 1906. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 637 6 '5— Prothonotary Warbler, June 16, 1922. Julius Wendler. Red Wing. Minn. 641 671 5 — Blue-winged Warbler, June 5, 1904. J. C. A. Meeker, New- Haven, Conn. 642 1 5 — Golden-winged Warbler, May 25, 1902. J. Claire W^ood, Wayne Co., Mich. 646a 3 5 — Lutescent Warbler, May 18, 1909. J. M. Davis, Humboldt Co., Cal. 674 1 5— Oven-bird, May 30, 1896. C. S. Butters, Bradford, Mass. 676 2/6 — Louisiana Water-Thrush, May 30, 1897. W. A. Davidson, Ecorse. Mich. 677 1 /5 — Kentucky Warbler. June 1, 1910. A. Sikken. Prince George Co.. Md. 679 1 5 — Mourning Warbler, June 20, 1901. Ed. Reinecke, Orleans Co.. N. y. 681 XX 5 — Maryland Yellow-throat, May 29, 1914. R. P. Sharpless. Ches- ter Co., Pa. 681d 1/5— Northern Yellow-throat, June 2, 1900. P. E. Moody, M. D.. Wayne Co., Mich. 685b 1 5— Golden Pileated Warbler, June 17, 1915. H. H. KlmlKill. Fallen Leaf, Cal. 687 w 6 — American Redstart, June 6, 1889. W. Phillips, Red Wing, Minn. 694 1 6— White Wagtail, May 27, 1902. For J. G. Gordon, North Iceland. 697 X 5 — American Pipit, July 1, 1894. For W. Raine, Hudson Bay. 701 1 '5 — American Dipper, May 10, 1919. Walter Berton, Vancouver, FJ. C. 703 14 e— Mockingl)ir(l. April 30, 1890. T. H. Jackson, Tamps, Mex. 704 6 5— Catbird, May 26, 1901. Walter C. Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 705 3 5 — Brown Thrasher, M?.y 25, 1873. F. T. Pember, Gainesville, N. \ . 706 143 6— Sennett's Thrasher, April 21, 1900. F. B. Armstrong, Browns- ville, Tex. 707 1 4 — Curve-billed Thrasher, April 3, 1914. F. B. Armstrong, Browns- ville, Tex. 710 6 4 — California Thrasher, May 11, 1897. Ernest Adams, San Jose, Cal. 715 2 6— Rock Wren, May 14, 1914. Guy Love, Decator Co., Kan. 719a-6 6— Bewick's Wren, May 29, 1891. O. W. Briggs, Paw Paw, 111. 719e 1 7 — Northwest Bewick's Wren, June 2, 1909. W. Duglas, Vancouver, B. C. 721 1/7— House Wren, May 30, 1900. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 721a 2 8 — Western House Wren, April 20, 1916. M. C. Badger, Santa Paula, Cal. 722 6/7— Winter Wren, June 10, 1918. W. Raine, Ontario, Canada. 722a 1 '6 — Western Winter Wren, May 13, 1919, Walter Burton, Victoria. B. C. 724 2/6— Short-billed Marsh Wren, Aug. 18, 1885. M. Harrington. Iowa Co., Iowa. 725 0-1/7 — Long-billed Marsh Wren, May 26, 1898. Edward Reinecke, Buffalo. N. Y. 725a6 5— Tule Wren, April 15, 1906. J. O. Snyder. Palo Alto. Cal. 725b 1 6— Worthington's Mar.sh Wren. April 15, 1906. T. D. Perry, Chatham Co., Ga. 726 1 '6 — Brown Creeper, June 5. 1916. 70 THE OOLOGIST W. Raine, Ontario, Canada. 727 1 ,'7— White-breasted Nuthatch, May 3, 1902. J. Claire Wood, Oak- land Co., Mich. 727a 1 '7— Slender-billed Nuthatch, Aprii 29, 1899. For D. A. Cohen, Contra Costa Co., Cal. 729 2/6 — Brown-headed Nuthatch, Apl. 11, 1914. T. D. Perry, Chatham, Ga. 73140/8 — Tufted Titmouse, May 4, 1896. S. Roberts, Nornay, S. C. 733 821/6— Plain Titmouse, April 12, 1913. H. W. Carriger, Santa Rosa, Cal. 735 1/7— Chickadee, June 1, 1915. E. S. Coombs, Readville, Mass. 735a 1/9 — Long-tailed Chickadee, June 16, 1906. W. Raine, Alberta, Can. 736 1/7— Carolina Chickadee, May 6, 1905. A. Sikken, Prince George Co., Md. 738 100/8 — Mountain Chickadee, June 8, 1915. H. W. Carriger and G. Wells, Placer Co., Cal. 740 1 /7 — Hudsonian Chickadee, June 18,' 1903. W. Raine & Son, Mani- toba, Can. 741 1/8 — Chestnut-backed Chickadee, May 3, 1919. Walter Burton, Vic- toria, B. C. 741a 1/6 — California Chickadee, April 13, 1906. C. V. Warren, Santa Paula, Cal. 743a 1/7— California Bush-Tit, March 16, 1896. Ernest Adams, San Jose, Cal. 748 1/7 — Golden-crowned Kinglet, June 11,' 1916. Walter Raine, Ontario, Canada. 748a 1/6 — Western Golden-crowned Kinglet, June 20, 1914. O. A. Tre- ganza. Salt Lake Co., Utah. 749 5/9 — Ruby-crowned Kinglet, June 12,1919. Walter Raine, Ontario, Can. 751 9/5 — Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, May 13, 1916. E. A. Sikken, Prince George Co., Md. 751a 2 /5 — Western Gnatcatcher, May 21, 1916. M. C. Badger, Santa Paula, Cal. 753 4/5 — Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, June 7, 1903. J. B. Dixon, San Diego Co., Cal. 756 1/5— Wilson's Thrush, May 31, 1896. Walter C. Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 759b 5/5— Hermit Thrush, June 2, 1901. O. Reinecke, Orleans Co., N. Y. 760 1/6— Red-winged Thrush, July 2, 1£08. A. T. Copeland, Norway. 761 1/7 — American Robin, April 21, 1913. Ottomar Reinecke, Erie Co., N. Y. 761 3/4 — American Robin, May 30, 1899. J. Claire Wood, Wayne Co., Mich. 766 1/6— Bluebird, May 1, 1901. H. H. Spicer, Wayne Co., Mich. 767 1/5— Western Bluebird, July 19, 1891. W. A. Strong, Tulare Co., Cal. 767b 3/5— San Pedro Bluebird, June 6, 1908. B. P. Carpenter, San Diego Co., Cal. 768 1/6— Mountain Bluebird, May 2. 1900. W. S. Hathaway, Silvertown, Cal. 768 1/6— Mountain Bluebird, June 24, 1906. Walter Raine, Alberta, Can. W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. WHEATLAND, WYOMING, BIRDS. Thought it might be of interest to your readers to know of some of the birds observed in this locality. The following is an abstract from my notes for June 3rd, 1922. The country covered included a circle of 18 miles, over farmed districts, prairie and rice bottoms. The farmed country is quite level, with a few groups of trees about the farmsteads, and all lies in an irrigation section. The prairie dis- tricts are more or less rolling, especi- ally where they merge with the river bottoms; they are covered with the usual prairie grasses and sparse growths of sage, buck brush and soap weed, or yucca. The river bot- toms are sparsely timbered with cot- The oologist 71 tonwood, boxelders, willow and some mountain ash, heavy thickets of rose, and a kin plant to the buck brush. Along our river bottoms are some steep bluffs, or chalk rock, with benches, on which are a few ball pine and cedars. There are also numerous sloughs. The name of birds, A. O. U. No., place observed, and relative numbers are as follows: Pied-billed Grebe, 6, river bottom, 2 pairs. Mallard Duck, 132, river bottom, 3 pairs and 12 young. Green-winged Teal, 139, river bot- tom, 2 pair. American Bittern, 190, farming dis- trict and river bottom, common. Great Blue Heron, 194, farming dis- trict and river bottom, common. Sora Rail, 214, farming district and river bottom, common. Wilson's Phalarope, 224, farming, district, common. Wilson's Snipe, 230, farming district, 2 pair. Western Willet, 258a, farming dis- trict, 1 pair. Spotted Sandpiper, 263, river bot- tom, 2 birds. Killdeer, 273, farming district, prai- rie, river bottom, common, very. Bob White, 289, river bottom, com- mon. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, 208b, river bottom, 9 birds. Sage Grouse, 309, prairie, 1 cock. Mourning Dove, 316, farming dis- trict, prairie, river bottom, bluffs, com- mon, very. Marsh Hawk, 331, farming district, river bottom, common. Krider Hawk, 337a, river bottom, 3 birds. Western Red-tailed Hawk, 337b, river bottom, 1 bird. Western Sparrow Hawk, 360, farm- ing district, prairie, river bottom. bluffs, common, very. American Long-eared Owl, 366, river bottom, 7 birds. Rocky Mountain Screech Owl, 373E, river bottom, 1 bird. Western Great Horned Owl, 375A, river bottom, 6 birds. Burrowing Owl, 378, prairie, com- mon. Black-billed Cuckoo, 288 river bot- tom, common. King Fisher, 390, river bottom, com- mon. Red-headed Woodpecker, 406, farm- ing district, river bottom, 5 birds. Lewis Woodpecker, 408, river bot- tom, 1 bird. Red Shafted Flicker, 413, farming district, prairie, river bottom, bluffs, common. Poor Will, 418, bluffs, 2 birds. Western Night Hawk, 420a, farming district, prairie, bluffs, common. King Bird, 444, farming district, river bottom, common. Arkansas King Bird, 447, farming district, river bottom, common. Say's Phoebe, 457, farming district, bluffs, common. Western Wood Pewee, 462, river bottom, 5 birds. Traill's Flycatcher, 466, river bot- tom, 3 birds. Magpie, 475, river bottom, bluffs, common. American Crow, 488, farming dis- trict, river bottoms, common. Cowbird, farming district, river bot- tom, common. Yellow-headed Blackbird, 497, farm- ing district, river bottom, common. Red-winged Blackbird, 498, farming district, river bottom, common, very. Desert Horned Lark, 474c, farming district, prairie, common. Western Meadowlark, 501.1, farming district, prairie, river bottom, com- mon, very. Bullock Oriole, 508, fanning district, river bottom, common. Bronzed Grackle, 511b, farming dis- 72 THE 00L0GI8T tricts, river bottom, common, very. House Finch, 519, farming districts, common, very. Pale Goldfinch, 529a, farming dis- tricts, river bottoms, 5 birds. Western Vesper Sparrow, 540a, farming district, prairie, common. Western Grasshopper Sparrow, 546a, farming districts, 2 birds. Western Lark Sparrow, 552a, farm- ing districts, prairie, river bottom, common, very. Western Chipping Sparrow, 560a, farming district, prairie, common. Western Field Sparrow, 563a, farm- ing district, prairie, river bottom, com- mon. Arctic Towhee, 588, river bottom, common. Lazuli Bunting, 599, river bottom, 1 pair. Dickcissel, 604, river bottom, 6 birds. Lark Bunting, 605, farming district, prairie, river bottom, common, very. Louisiana Tanager, 607, river bot- tom, 1 bird. Cliff Swallow, 612, river bottom, bluffs, common, very. Barn Swallow, 613, farming district, river bottom, common. Tree Swallow, 614, river bottom, common. Bank Swallow, 616, river bottom, 3 birds. Rough-winged Swallow, 617, river bottom, common, very. Summer Yellowbird, 652, farming districts, river bottom, common, very. Western Yellow Throat, 681a, river bottom, 4 birds. Long-tailed Chat, 683a, river bottom, 1 bird. Sage Thrasher, 702, prairie, 1 bird. Catbird, 704, river bottom, common. Brown Thrasher, 705, river bottom, common. Rock Wren, 715, bluffs, common. Canon Wren, 717a, bluffs, common. Western House Wren, 721a, farming district, river bottom, common. Long-tailed Chickadee, 735a, river bottom, common. Townsend Solitaire, 754, cliffs, 3 birds. Willow Thrush, 756a, river bottom, 1 bird. Western Robin, 761a, farming dis- trict, river bottom, common. Mountain Bluebird, 768, cliffs, 2 birds. English Sparrow, farming district, prairie, river bottom, common. By common I mean anything over a dozen birds observed on this trip and birds which I know I shall meet in such numbers on my trips. Would like to find out some good forms of filed note books, and also filing records of observations. My records I now use are clumsy, and I believe very incomplete. It is my desire to make an accurate study of the birds of Platte, Goshen and Albany counties of this state and if time, etc., will allow, to extend it to entire state of Wyoming. My first interest in oology was through my friend R. C. Harlow, of Colgate Uni- versity, formerly of Penn State. The above list of birds 1 definitely identified on my trip, and there were others of whose identity I was not sure. It came to my mind that some such list might be of value to you and possibly to the readers of The Oolo- gist, for I find it very hard to secure much authentic literature on Wyoming birds. Very truly yours, James A. Neilson, Wheatland, Wyo. THE OOLOGIST Will Exchange personally .aken Florida sets for books. "Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. I FOR SALE for Cash — Bulletin Coop- er Club & Condor, Volumes 1 to 6 in- clusive, complete, except No. 6, "Vol. 1 Oologist, Vol. XI, (1S94) complete; Vol. X (1S93) complete, except April, July and November. "W. B. Sampson, 1005 North San Joaquin St., Stockton, Cal. "WANTED — For analysis, 1 set each 337 and 339. Must be absolutely fresh, unblown and very carefully packed and sent special deli\ery parcel post as soon as taken, "^'rite and make agree- ment now. "^^ill give copy of Bent's Diving Birds to the one who sends me the two sets this spring. Paul G. Howes. 91 Hope St., Stamford, Conn. Cash if preferred to the book. 2-3-4 FOR SALE — Na. History Books and Magazines. Brent's "N. A. Diving Birds," "N. A. Gulls and Terns," "N. A. Petrels & Pelicans," Coues' "Key," "Birds of N"W.," "Birds of Colorado Valley," "Ornithological Bibliography," "Botany & Zoology Mex. Boundary," (scarce, colored plates of birds), "Con- dor," "O. & O.." "Osprey," and many more; send for list. If you have Nat. Hist, literature or a collection of old Postage Stamps to dispose of, let us hear from you. Franklin's, Box 2, "Washington, D. C. Postal Permits, Precancelled Stamps and Slogan or Advertising Post Marks for sale or exchange. Correspondence solicited. "W. E. Snyder, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. WANTED — Sets^of Noril,~37,~60, 112, 13.5. 137. 1.S3, 1S6, 207, 213, 217, 230. 253, 261, 264, 276, 301, 305, 309. E. S. Coombs, 233 Washington St.. Maiden, Mass. DAKOTA Birds, eggs, nests, fresh skins for Mounting. Mounted speci- mens. Sale or exchange. F. A. Pat- ton. Artesian. South Dakota. "NOT MERELY STUFFED." but per- fect in plumage and condition and ac- curately mounted specimens of the fol- lowing: Goshawk. Spruce Grouse, Prairie Chicken. Ruffed Grouse and Mountain Quail. Will exchange for sets. G. A. Abbott, Glasgow, Ky. FOR SALE — Natural History Books and Magazines, Antiques, Curios, Min- erals, Insects, Shells and other speci- mens from this locality, or will ex- change for Coins and Stamps. Ralph L. Wlieeler, Canaan, N. H. WANTED — Rldgway's "Birds of North and Middle America," volumes 2 and 7, also a Stevens Pocket Shot- gun— 44 calibie preferred. Harold W. Copeland, 122 Park Ave., Bridgewater, Mass. EXCHANGE — I still have a few years of Oologist to I'jxchange. Delos Hatch, Oakfleld, Wisconsin. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — Two speed twin Indian Motorcycle, in good order. Want cash, Mounted birds and Mammals or old cancelled U. S. and Confederate Stamps. W. E. Snyder, 309 De Clark St., Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. WANTED — By H. H. Johnson, Pitts- field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXIII, 6; Vol. XXTV. all; Journal Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI. 4; VII. 1; Nuttall Bulletin, all; Oologist CUtica). all; Ornith. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterlv, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vev Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37. 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Ilwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED — Lepidopters from the West and South West, especially SpUn- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay, 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Phila, Pennsyl\ania. "U'ANTP^D — Prismatic Binoculars. C. S. Sharp, Escondido, Cal. Will give sets of 349 or part cash. How about It? EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpoee, nearly two years to complete. It is a "Volume of two hundred pages, well illns- trated, by half tone.s, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Oology. It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A history of this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illus- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustrations showing proper cabinet arrangements of specimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five on ;prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Birds and „^PFices adopted for the exchange of specimens of eggs of each 11. Advertiee- ments. Paper bound copies $1.00. Cloth l)ound copies $2.00. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. THE 00L0GI8T THE WILSON BULLETIN A aUARTEULY JOURNAL, OF ORNITHOLOGY Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds In Middle North America. Now in Its 28th year. 64 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. $1.50 per year, 40 cts. per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. A Biboliograph of scarce or out of print, North American Amateur and Trade Periodicals, devoted more or less to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- arate publications. Price 25 cents. R. M. BARNES. Lacon, III. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist'' for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. The Oologist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. No. 5. ALBION, N. Y., May , 1923. Whole No. 433 THE OOLOGIST BRIBF SPECIAL AN NOUNCEM RXTS W.-,r.iP(t. Kxoh;mge. For Sale, Ktc, inserted in ilils lepartment at 25 (Mtits . pu'li 2n wni-'ls; for one i-^sue; each al.litir.nil v,-nr,i i cCTit. No notice In- Mfp.l for less than 25 cents. We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful niitlioriiy under th« law to d«*l 'n the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona flde exchanges of such specimens for pcientlfio collecting purpogea only. — B3DITOR. 500 DATA BLANKS — I will print Standard Data Blanks with your name on them for $1.50 postpaid. Edward S. Coombs. 233 Washington St., Maiden, Mas=iachusetts. FOR SALE — Birds and Nature Ma.ga- zine bound in double volumes as fol- lows: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 13-14, and volume 11 single. Covers slightly worn but in good second-hand condition. Write W. H. Over, Vermillion, So. Dakota. 2-3 I have some 5000 Indian Relics, most- ly arrows, a few tomahawks, etc., I will exchange for Mounted Specimens IT bird eggs, or will sell same for cash. C. E. Pilquist. Dardanelle, Ark. FOR SALE — Large collection of birds' eggs and nests, mounted birds, shells, corals, sea curios, minerals, carvings, nuts. Ceramics and Indian curios. Must dispose of same at once. H. E. Lutman, Painted Post,_N. T^ WANTED — Back numbers of Orni- Ihological magazines, especially Condor, ilso any books on Ornithology or Tax- idermy. Egg cabinet also wanted. Write, giving prices. James Suthard, Madisonville, Kentucky. WANTED to hear from collectors having sets of eggs or Bird Skins to dispose of. Cash or exchange. C. F. Pahrman, 1011 Fouj-th St^, La Porte, Ind. JOHN LORANG, Genesee, Idaho. Col- lector of Idaho Birds eggs, also Bird and Animal Skins for mounting pur- pases. For sale or exchange. A black Squirrel Skin Mounted. FOR SALE — Auk, 1918 and 1920, vol- umes complete, $1.50 each, prepaid. Wilson bulletin, 1920 volume, 90c. Bi- ological Bulletin 17 and 39 also. Fred Pierce, Wlnthrop, Iowa. In addition to eggs in sets I am inaking a cosmopolitan collection of .^ingles. Must have accurate data thor- oughly identified. Offer skins, eggs, or cash. A. W. Hanaford, R. R. 9, Box 1210. Los Angeles, Cal. "Beginners Luck" — A collection of 75 arleties, eggs in sets, at a bargain. Common and not common; a good start or a collector. Also a Woodpecker xnd sapsucker, group of fifteen varie- ties, very reasonable. Send for lists and pricf s. Fred Dille, Valentine, Nebr. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — After two years and a half In storage, I have now unpacked my library, bird and mammal collections, and have for sale many duplicate books and O. & O. pub- lications. Also will exchange bird and mammal skins from this section and sets of raptors, finches and Jays. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach, Zoo'l Park and Musp.un' of Natural History. Miami Beach, Florida. FOR S.^LE or EXCHANGE — Butter- flies of New England for California Butterflies. T. Love, Collector, 105 Orove. Lynn, Mass. EXCHANGE or FOR SALE — Skins of 47S and 481 A. O. U. No.. Jack D. R-iker, Redwood valley, California, Mendocino County. FOR SALE — Ridgways "Birds of North and Middle America," Vols. 1 to S! inc. Also back Vols, and Nos. of "Bird-Lore" and other bird magazines. Everett E. Johnson, Hebron, Maine. WANTED — A good pair of second- hand field glasses, medium sized and reasonably priced. Write and send price to J. N. Elliott, Lancaster, Kentuck>\ T\^\NTED^1 pair of adult^Northern Ravens in good feather, either skin or mounted specimens, or if possible, in the flesh. State price or exchange de- siderata. George M. Sutton, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa. I have for EXCHANGE sets of eggs of the following species, A. O. U. Nos.: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 32, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48. 51, 53, 54, 58. 59. 63. 65. 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 80, 81, 81.1, 83. 86, 86a, 104, 106, 107, 114, 114.1, 115, 115.1. 117, 120, 125. 127, 128, 132, 134, 135. 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144. 150, 160, 167, 169, 172. 172a. 172c, 174, 178, 179, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 192. 194, 194b, 196. 199. R. M. Barnes. Lacon. 111. ^O^R SALE or ~EXCH ANGE^^Wil so n Bulletin. Year 1914, to and including 1921. Complete in A. No. 1 condition. What's your offer? A. J. Anderson, 1S22 W. Palmer, Sioux City, Iowa. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — Goss' Birds of Kansas — -Ridgwav's Bulletin .^0. Vol. 8— Bent's Gulls and Terns. I want Auks, Bird Book.s and Magazines. Herbert A. Smith. 431 N. Van Buren Ave., Kirkwood, Mo. Get a CATALOG Before they are All Gone They are going hery fast. Less than 75 copies are left. The Oologist. Vol. XL. No.5 Albion, N. Y., May, 1923. Whole No. 433 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. BAR;ve:s, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, III. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CEN'IS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expires with this issue. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903. at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1S79. WHAT ARE THEY? We will send a free sample copy of "The Oologist" for 3 months to the first five subscribers (or to anyone they designate) who write ns a correct iflentifica- lion of the above young birds. 74 THE OOLOGIST THE SALE OF THE JOHN LEWIS CHILDS LIBRARY In our April issue we published some observations by an Eastern man who had gone West, and now we have the pleasure of publishing the follow- ing observations of a Westerner from Central Illinois, who while labor- ing under a state of more or less men- tal aberration, went East for the pur- pose of attending the sales of the Libraries of the late John Lewis Childs, and one of Dr. W. C. Braislin, which were sold at auction, in New York City; the first on March 26th and 27th, and the last on April 2nd and 3rd. John Lewis Childs spent a lifetime gathering together a Natural History Library which was a monument to any man and which contained some of the most splendid works on Natural His- tory subjects in existence. After his death there appears to have been no sentiment moving anyone to perpet- uate his name by keeping either his collection of Natural History objects, or his great library together. We have already commented on the man- ner in which his Natural History spec- imens were dissipated to the four winds. And here is what became of his library. It was first sold to a New York book dealer, at a price as we understand it of ten thousand dollars. This man catalogued it and sold it at auction on the above dates, March 26th and 27th, at the American Art Association Rooms in New York, for more than twenty thousand dollars. Some of the prices realized were as follows: Audubon & Bachman Quadrupeds of North America. 3 Volumes. $140.00 The Dr. Shattuck copy of the orig- inal Elephant Folio of Audubon's Birds of America, which was one of the finest, if not the finest copy of this publication in existence, the plates having been personally selected and colored by Audubon and present- ed to his friend Dr. Shattuck, together with the five volumes of Text accom- panying it, went for $4,000.00. A complete file of the Auk, and of the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornitholog- ical Club. $250.00. The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, by Mark Catesby. Two Volumes. 1771 $275.00. A Monograph of the Pheasants, by William Beebe. 4 Volumes. 1918-22 $150.00. A complete file of "The Ibis" brought $530.00. The Breeding Birds of Floral Park. Illustrated by 42 water color paintings, by Allen Brooks. $480.00. The Orchid Album, by Warren and William. 11 volumes, with 528 colored plates. $115.00. Catalogue of Birds of the British Museum, 1874-98. 27 volumes, and Catalogue of the Bird's Eggs in the same Museum, 1901-1912. 5 volumes. $240.00. Buffons' History Natural. Histori Naturelle des Oiseuax. 15 volumes, 1770-1786. $100.00. A complete set of the writings of John Burroughs. 23 volumes. $210.00. Dressers' Birds of Europe. 8 vol- umes, 1871-96. London. $280.00. Edwards' Butterflies of North Amer- ica. 3 volumes. $155.00. D. G. Elliott's Monograph of the Pheasants, 1872. $290.00. The same author's Monograph of the Birds of Paradise. 2 volumes. $160.00. Gould's Monograph of the Trochil- idae. 5 volumes. $380.00. Holbrook's North American Herpe- tology. 5 volumes. $142.00. Alfred Malhebres' Monographis des Picidies, 1861-2. $155.00, THE OOLOGIST n Mathews' The Birds of Australia. 10 volumes in wrappers, 1910-23. $360.00. A fine copy of Wilson's and Bona- parfs Ornithology, 1808-1883. $150.00. The Genera Insectorum, P. Wyt- sanan, editor. 1902-21. $625.00. The seven-volume edition of Audu- bon's Birds of America, 1840-44, brought $390.00". Howard Jones' Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of the Birds of Ohio, brought $425.00, though this copy was two plates short. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia, 1843- 85. 33 volumes. $120.00. Among the more important items in this sale secured by the editor, were the following: Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia, 1832. "Autograph Facsimile" — The History of the Art of Writing, with 203 full page plates, some in colors, from the earliest known date to the close of the 19th century. Four folio volumes. This item was extensively reviewed by Mr. Childs at the time he procured this rare work, in his publication, "The Warbler." This is a very un- usual item. The Monograph of the Cranes, by F. E. Blaauw, London, 1897, with 22 colored plates. This is number nine of the limited edition of 170 copies of this rare work. The Trees of North America, New York, 1908. DeWitt Clinton's Letters on the Natural History and Internal Re- sources of the State of New York, 1822. American Ornithological Biblio- graphy, by Elliott Coues. 4 volumes. The Natural History of British Shells. 1800-1804. E. Donavan. Eggs of the Birds of Europe, includ- ing all of the Species Inhabiting the Western Paleartic Area, with more than a hundred colored plates, H. E. Dresser, 1905-10. 2 volumes. The Ferns of North America. 2 vol- umes, 81 colored plates, 1879-1880. A Monograph of the Petrels, Fred- eric d' C. Goodman. 2 volumes, 110 full paged colored plates, 1907-1910. Illustrations of the West American Oaks; 37 plates. E. L. Green and Albert Kellog. The Fish of North America that are Captured on Hook and Line, with 80 colored plates. W. E. Harris, 1898. P. B. Hough's, "The American Woods," illustrated by 375 actual cross sectional specimens of the woods mounted in the work. 13 volumes Oologia Universalis Paleartica, 1906- 1913. Parts 1 to 78, inclusive. The first copy of this work ever offered for sale at auction. The Butterflies of the West Coast of the United States; Ed T. Cresson, 1906. A Natural History of Nest and Eggs of the British Birds, 1870-1. F. O. Morris. 3 volumes, 78 colored plates. The Geographical Distribution of the Family Charadriidae, Henry Seebohm. 54 colored plates, 1890. Colored figures of the Eggs of Brit- ish Birds with Descriptive Notes; ^ienry Seebohm. 59 colored plates, 1896. The Dodo and Its Kindred, Strict- land and Melville 1848. Besides the foregoing we secured a considerable number of books of lesser importance. The total number of items listed at this sale was 801, and the total number of volumes sold was 3397, and in addition there were thousands of pamphlets, separates and magazines. The aggregate of the sale amounted to approximately $20,600.00. Thus a curtain is rung down on the lifetime efforts of Mr. Childs to build up a great library. It is put up for 76 THE OOLOQISt auction and dissipated to the four winds at a profit of more than $10,000 to the book dealer. In a few years no one will ever know that John Lewis Childs was a great lover of Natural History, and the owner of one of the finest Natural History Libraries in America. This sale attracted a great many buyers from all over the country, and competition was very keen for many items. The bidder at that sale who expected to get anything had to travel in very fast company. All of the leading book houses in New York and vicinity had representatives there looking for bargains, and some of the great Museums also had people there to bid on special items. Many very wealthy book lovers had representa- tives at this sale to bid for them. Our experience at the Dr. Braislin sale will be referred to in a later issue. R. M. Barnes. THE CARNAGE On March 13, 1922, after an unsuc- cessful owl nest hunt near Pennsy- grove, N. J., while Turner McMullen and I were tramping back to town to get the boat for Philadelphia, we were shocked and saddened at the sight of 26 murdered hawks and. owls nailed upon the sides of a barn by a farm house near the roadside. We asked permission of the farmer, who was working in the yard, to examine the birds. It was willingly given and he accompanied us over to his gruesome collection, of which he seemed fond. There were 11 Long-eared Owls, 6 Barn Owls, 1 Great Horned Owl, 1 Screech Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Red-shouldered Hawks, and 2 Coop- er's Hawks in the collection, all nailed to the barn through the heads ; some with the backs exposed and others with the breasts. The farmer told us he had trapped the birds during the past month in steel traps set in "Engine" (Indian) grass in fields near his house, and that the hawks came after his young chicks. We didn't remonstrate with the farmer for his cruelty in killing the beneficial owls, as it would have l)een a useless waste of words, as I have learned fropi experience that men of his ilk cannot see any good in any kind of a hawk or owl, and it does no good to argue with them. Richard F. Miller, Philadelphia, Pa FROM CANADA A letter, from the young man who acted as guide for "Ye Editor" at the time of his expedition to Quill Lake in 1909. dated March 25th, says, among other things as follows: "Quill Lake is much the same as when we spent the season there. The lake shore for a few miles from the lake has not been settled. I believe there is still a lot of birds making their home there, though the ducks are not as plentiful as they were ten years ago, but there should not be any change in the small bird life. 1 am told the swans are there late in the fall, just as they used to be, but have not heard of any white (Whooping Cranes) being seen. Would like to see you come up here and we would put in a good holiday hunting eggs in this locality. I have a good P^ord and a nice little tent and we could easily Visit Quill Lake or any other place where we would be likely to find specimens you wish to possess. 1 have a good boat and there are streams and very large sloughs with plenty of rushes and plant life in them here, so we could hunt on both land and water. This country is dotted with "bluffs" (little patches of isolated aspen trees) and is a great place for ducks, on ac- count of the sloughs. Geese also nest on what is known as "Horseshoe THE OOLOGIST 77 Lake," about ten miles away. I be- lieve there is as much bird life here as anywhere in the Province. We have three wild geese, the same as those father raised that you gave bim. 1 had four, but I think someone stolf^ one of them. It was with the rest at noon and about 4 o":-!ock v/as gone. I keep them in the yard spring and fall, as they like to wander away dur- ing those seasons. In the summer time I let them out and they have never gone far from the buildings." R. M. Barnes. DUCKHAWKIANA I specialize on Duck Hawks — oolog- ically and nidiologically. In the quest for this falcon's eyrie 1 find many in- teresting and instructive elements. Even humor, strange to say, occasion- ally has its little niche. During the past few years I have had the good fortune to locate a goodly number of eyries of the Peregrine Falcon, or American Duck Hawk, and the good exercise of scrambling up and down a greater number of moun- tains and cliffs as the beautiful sets of Falcon's eggs now in my cabinet will bear mute witness to this fact. It is a great game — and full of thrills. I sometimes wish I could have had the opportunity to engage in this quest thjrty years ago when I was young enough to accomplish it with greater ease. But in those days 1 couldn't have had my Henryford to get about in, and so, perhaps, it is just as well after all. On one of the high mountains in the State of Vermont Duck Hawks have bred for many years, and occas- sionally collectors have obtained their eggs. In the spring of 1922 1 made plans for a trip to this location to see if, perchance, I might get my share of the spoils of the oologist. This mountain is about sixty miles from my home, and the trip, climb, search and all make a pretty full day. Mr. F. T. Pember, a well known ornitholi- gical oologist, directed me to this nest- ing site, and he and a young man named Donald Nelson met our party near the mountain early in May. We first tried an uncertain prospect and were unable to get any results. Then we tackled the real old mountain and got a fine set of eggs, with all the ac- companying lips and downs, disap- pointments and thrills and final suc- cess. Upon leaving the place, I asked the young man if he would care to keep watch of the location and in three or four weeks make a search for another nest of these birds. This being agreed upon 1 came home and put in my spare time at other eyries. I usually make these trips with full photographic equipment, of course, and no small part of the joy of the game is the getting of good pictures of nests and eggs and general location. The trip I have spoken of was no ex- ception to this rule and, although the pictures were not of the best, still, 1 got at least one good one, showing the eggs laid on a little bed of broken rock, with a long deep cave behind and some foliage in front. These seemed to interest the boy and I sent him some prints. A few weeks later I got word from him that he had located the second nest and had the eggs for me. This was great good news and I was much pleased with what the young man had accomplished. The humorous part of it all comes In right here. Enclosed with his letter came a drawing of himself at the nest, in caricature style, with the note that as he didn't have the necessary cam- era equipment to illustrate his work, he had made use of such talents as he bad at hand and presented the draw- ing, which is reproduced herewith. 7a THE OOLOGISt ^/■^ 'cj -^ 1?^=^ Karl A. Pember in Distress at a Duck Hawk's Nest THE OOLOGIST 79 I This drawing doesn't pretend to por- tray nature with any degree of accur- acy, neither is it nature-faking, but it provides that desirable element with- out which great enjoyment may be lost. And so, you see, there is quite a chance for amusement as well as pleasure and instruction in this game. Karl A. Pember, Woodstock, Vt. "TIMING A SCREECH OWL" Lots of us wonder, well, how long will it be until there will be a full set. I timed the Screech Owl as follows. Found Screech Owl in a hollow tree March 1st. Went back March 24th, found one egg. I said to myself, "Well, I will come back, let's see. Yes, the 28th for a set of five." Back again the 28th, but only two eggs. Back again the 31st but only three eggs. This sounds like to me it took Mrs. Owl seven days to lay two eggs. Back again in April, still 3 eggs, collected, all fresh. Ramon Graham, Ft. Worth, Texas. THE MURRELET The Murrelet, Volume IV, No. 1. January, 1923. This most interesting little publication came to our desk, filled from cover to cover, as usual, with real fresh, crisp bird news. In- cluding among other things, Avafauna of Minindoka County and adjacent territory, by B. W. Davis. Haunts of the Swainson's Warbler, by Thomas D. Burleigh. Birds of the Bellingham Bay Region, by J. M. Edson, besides numerous pages of shorter articles and miscellaneous bird notes. R. M. Barnes. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN IN CANADA I have just been thinking of a short trip I had last summer, about three miles from home to an old wet meadow or pasture of about fifty acres in ex- tent; the time was about the first of June. On entering the meadow. I flushed a Savanna Sparrow and found a nest with five nicely colored eggs, and a little farther on a Bobolink's nest with six eggs, while looking closely in the rank marsh grass I heard a sound which I took to be the song of a Long-billed Marsh Wren, and on gettiing a little closer to the bird I was surprised to see it was a Short-billed Marsh Wren. I spent fully a half hour looking for the nest, as this species is very rare in this local- ity; in fact I have never heard of anyone finding them nesting here. My patience was at last rewarded by finding a well woven nest of green grasses, within two inches of the ground, in thick, coarse grass, well hidden. It contained six pure white eggs, but sorry to say they were chipped and about to hatch. However, I looked for more nests, but found no more with eggs, although I visited the meadow three or four times after. In all, I found seven nests, but no more with eggs. 1 suppose they were decoy nests, like the Long-billed Marsh Wren delights to fool us with. I look for- ward to finding a set or two for my collection this summer. I also found three sets of Bronzed Grackle, placed on rafters in an old barn on the prem- ises, while pine and spruce trees were growing near by. H. B. Bingham, Barrie, Ontario, Canada. April 5th, 1923. WHY? At the sale of the John Lewis Childs Library, in New York City, March 26th and 27th, a fully paid-up subscription to "The Birds of Cali- fornia," Format de Luxe Patron Loan Edition, including the two parts al- ready issued, by William Leon Daw- son, was sold at auction, for fifty dol- lars, R. M. B. 80 THE OOLOGIST A PRIZE It is not the practice or the poiicy of the Oologist to offer prizes or prem- iums, however, we are authorized to offer a premium of a duplicate post- card illustration, similar to the one published in this issue of the three young birds in a nest to all of our subscribers who successfully guess, be- fore the next issue of the magazine, what these birds are. The Editor. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER In looking over some old record books of the years that have gone by (when collecting was good), I found opposite the Acadian the word "Er- ratic," written. So 1 said to myself I will write this up; so 1 went over all the old records I could find, and to my amazement 1 found several of my books were missing, as I will show later on. This interesting specie arrives with us about the 15th of April, and com- mences to build early in May and up to late in June; the reason I use the word, erratic, is because it is a wan- dering bird; some years you will find them quite common, then again sev- eral years may elapse before you see or find them again. Where they go, or where they come from I am unable to say. Most of our breeding birds come back to the old breeding ground every year, but not so with the Acad- ian. The nest is built along lonely roads; it is a very loose affair, made of weed- flores placed between the fork of a drooping limb at a height of 4 to 30 feet, and some are so high that you can't get them. The nest is such a frail affair that the eggs can be seen through the bottom. In a period of over 36 years, my records show the following, 1887 to 1892, I took no eggs— 1893-94-95-96-97-99 and 1900 all my records were lost, so the following years are as I find them on my books: 1901, May 19th, 1/3. 1901, May 24th, 1/3. 1901, June 8th, 1/2. 1902, June 8th, 1/2. 1902, June 21st, 1/3. 1903, May 31st, 1/3 1903, June 3rd, i/3. 1903, June 11th, 1/3. 1904, May 13th, 1/3. 1904, May 21st, 1/3. 1904, May 28th, 1/3. 1904, May 30th, 1/2. 1905, May 19th, 1/2. 1905, May 23rd, 1/3. 1905, June 20th, 1/2. 1906, May 16th, 1/3. 1906, May 26th, 1/3. 1906, May 27th, 1/3. 1906, June 3rd, 1/3. 1906, June 18th, 1/2. 1906, June 30th, 1/2. 1907, May 12th, 1/3. 1907, May 26th, 1/3. 1907, June 1st, 1/3. 1907, June 16th, 1/2. 1907, June 27th, 1/2. 1908, May 20th, 1/3. 1908, May 31st, 1/3. 1908, June 3rd, 1/3. 1909, May 30th, 1/2. 1910, none. 1911, none. 1912, none. 1913, May 20th, 1/2. 1914, none. 1915, none. 1916, none. 1917, none. 1918, June 15th, 1/3. 1918, June 28th, 1/2. 1919, none. 1920, none. 1921, June 18th, 1/2. 1922, none. I have found that the same condi- tions exist in Camden County, further THE OOLOGIST 81 south, where the birds were plentiful once, but are now gone. Why thej' come and go as they do I can't say, and I would like to hear from brother oologists what, if any, experience they have had with them. It seems like they are breeding farther north more plentiful than formerly, as I under- stand that they are common around Columbia, South Carolina. Troup D. Perry Savannah, Ga. I KARL A. PEMBER The Boston Sunday Herald, of Janu- ary 28th contains a write-up of the egg collection of our friend Karl A. Pember, of Woodstock, Vt., in which it is disclosed that he is the County Clerk of his county, and that he keeps his collection of birds' eggs, the result of thirty years strenuous collecting, in the Court House. This write-up is illustrated by a number of half tone photographs of Mr. Pember and some of his experi- ences in his collecting. R. M. B. SCIENTIFIC SNOBBERY A subscriber to the Oologist writes us, among other things, "You will note I have discarded all Latin names. Mr. X, of the XX, while he agrees with me that Latin names are being overdone, says he must have them in order that the XX be quoted. Now I wonder who decides that? Not the common every day man, I am sure; but at any rate I do not think I give a c — , whether I am quoted or not. Mr. X also says XX that he cannot see why it should not be just as well for one to use the English names as given in the A. O. U. Check List, as the Latin." The above is a fair sample of the feeling existing and growing every day among the ordinary bird students of the country. We suppose that if some person should suddenly come upon a colony of nesting birds of some of the varieties in the A. O. U. Check List, whose nidification secrets are at this time now wholly unknown, and should publish his observations, giving com- plete detail and thorough information as to the time, place, location and sur- roundings, as well as accurate de- scription of the materials of the nest and of the contents, including eggs and young, as well as a thorough exposi- tion of the actions of the birds in the vicinity of their nests while building, incubating, feeding and defending their young, and this should be pub- lished by some person who was either not familiar with the last accepted scientific name, which may not have been in use more than a week, because they change with extreme rapidity, this supposed bit of scientific informa- tion, wholly new to the world, would not be quoted, referred to, or regarded simply because of the failure to attach to it some scientific Latin jargon that 90% of the people of the country could neither read nor understand. That condition of affairs apparently is now arrived at. We have no quarrel with Latin or scientific names, and possibly under- stand them as well as many who feign to make use of them, but we dissent entirely from the doctrine that un- stable Latin scientific names, which are continually subject to change, and are changed, should take precedence over good old fashioned every day English. And the rule suggested by our correspondent is evidently an ef- fort to smother scientific knowledge or at least place all of the obstacles possible in the way of the ordinary every day man, acquiring any part of it or receiving any benefit from it. It is too snobbish in principle to be en- dorsed or used by either real scientists or red-blooded men. R. M. B. 82 THE OOLOGIST FALCO PEREGRINUS ANATUM How many of you ardent oologists ever actually looked into the eyrie of the American Peregrine Falcon — and saw there a set of four beautiful eggs — and finally got them, brought them home, blew them successfully and placed them among the other treasures of your egg collection? That's a fair question, isn't it? Well, 1 wish some of you would answer it, without the aid of a personal question- aire. This Falcon is certainly uncommon. It is quite a thing to locate a pair of the birds, even. But it is this very rarity and difficulty that ought to add zest to the pursuit for a real live oolo- gist, I don't know how many active col- lectors are on "The Oologist's" list of subscribers, but there must be many, and all of them ought to be. I know that four of them have enjoyed the experience suggested in the question above. I'd like to hear more about it through these columns. It is cer- tainly worth writing about — and worth reading. How many can not only answer "yes" to the above question, but can say they have repeated the perform- ance? How many have done it more than twice. How many have collected nine sets? Have I done it myself, you ask? Oh, yes. I collected nine sets personally last season, and hope to do as well this year. But I'd like mighty well to read about you other fellows' experience along this line. The taking of my first set of Duck Hawk's eggs in 1922 was accompanied by some rather interesting features. Having been down in Massachusetts, visiting Mr. R. L. Coffin and his Duck Hawks, I was returning home on the train, late in April. It was a fine spring day and I decided to stop off and visit one of my pairs of Duck Hawks and try and locate their nest. The year before these birds had fooled me and I was anxious to land them, if possible. So I got off the train, got on a trolley for a couple of miles, got off the trolley and walked a mile, trundling suit case and overcoat; branched off the road into the woods where I could change my clothes in peace and quiet; did this, and finally reached the top of the cliff, which I call the "Delta" location. This cliff is about 800 feet long and from one to two hundred feet high. A fringe of trees runs along the top, and a strip of woods fills the space be- tween the foot of the cliff and the highway and river. It is a beautiful and sightly location, but one that would hardly be suspected as the abode of Falco Peregrinus Anatum. It was, however, for no sooner had I reached the south end of the cliff and showed myself than Mr. Duck Hawk flew off the cliff below me, with a great clatter and cackling. I gradually worked my way along the cliff, exam- ining as carefully as possible the whole area as I went along. Nothing occurred until I had nearly reached the other end and was fast losing hope, when Mrs. Duck Hawk flushed and joined her mate in the air, both flying up and down the river, well away from the cliff face, and scream- ing and cackling no end. Peeping over the highest sheer point of the cliff I saw about 15 feet below me on a narrow shelf three very darkly and heavily marked eggs. Beauties they were ; one of the finest sets I have. You who have experienced this thing will know how I felt at this time — 1 hardly feel capable of expressing it adequately myself. However, I took a good look at them, calculated how to get them, and started back well satisfied with the luck thus far. George met me with the THE OOLOGIST 88 flivver. After a while we went back to the location, and as I looked over at the nest, to my surprise, 1 saw Mrs. Duck Hawk on the nest. There we were, comparatively close together — and both quite surprised. The bird scram- bled off the shelf and launched again into the air with much racket. As I looked again at the eggs, 1 could see only two on the shelf, and I thought probably the bird had knocked one off in her hurried departure. But this wasn't so, for when we got to the nest there were the three eggs safe and sound, but one had been rolled back out of sight under the ledge. I wish 1 had a picture of that Duck Hawk, surprised on the nest shelf — it would be a fine example of bird ex- pression. Surprise, fear, challenge, courage — all there in wonderful inde- scribable combination. I have never been so close to one before or since. Karl A. Pember. THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD By H. H. Johnson, Pittsfield, Maine. The land west of my barn slopes gently down to low ground, a swale, and this low land drains into the river a few rods distant. Birds that fre- quent low, wet ground are often found in this swale, such as Rails, Bitterns, Swamp Sparrows, Black Ducks, Red- winged Blackbirds, but excepting the Blackbirds and Sparrows, none have been found nesting, the swale being near to a highway and is also cut over each year for the hay it produces. The higher land or slope is used for the growing of crops and grassland. Here the birds which prefer the more dry ground for nesting make their homes: Birds such as Grass P"'inch, Song and Savanna Sparrows, Bobo- links, Meadow Larks, etc. In the spring of 1920 this slope and as much of the swale as would permit of cultivation was prepared and plant- ed to corn. Since the time for the planting of corn and the hatching and feeding of the young of the Crow to a large extent coincide, it behooves the farmer of this State of Maine to devise various ways of protecting the sprout- ing corn from those "imps of darkness," the Crows. Sometimes the seed is soaked in water in which copperas lias been dissolved ; some use an oil of tar with which the seed corn is coated ; others string common twine over their planted fields, stakes being used to hold it a short distance above the ground; still others stand effigies of themselves or their wives in the corn- fields, using cast-off clothes of various members of the family to create the likeness. But the sagacious old Crows, their intellect no doubt sharpened by the experience of former years and the continued calls of a number of hungry young, disregard all these ex- pedients and following down a corn row, the sprouts of which are just peeping through the ground, will pull them up in order to reach the grain from which each sprout springs. If the seed has been coated with oil of tar it is dropped, but if uncoated or un- soaked seed is found, the grains are carried to the young; in any case the fields suffer to a considerable extent, and it is almost useless to replant here with the expectation of a crop, our growing season is so short. It so happened the season of 1920 was chosen by a pair of Red-winged Blackbirds in which to build a nest and rear a brood of young in the swale at the foot of the cornfield. 1 found the nest when preparing the ground for planting, June 3rd; the eggs, four in number, being partly incubated. The Red-winged Blackbird in this lo- cality customarily builds its nest In a low willow bush or a bunch of hard- hack, a low growing sbrul); a shrub 84 THE OOL.OGIST which thrives in our meadows; the nests being two or three feet above the ground or water in which the bushes may stand, the nest being at- tached to and hanging between several stems of the plant. These nests have some depth and the rim projects on the inside some- what, thus protecting the eggs from being thrown out when the wind is blowing hard. This particular pair had chosen a tussock of grass as a nesting site, and the nest was not so deep on the inside as commonly made; it more resembled a Song Spar- row's in construction . The young hatched about the same time that the corn in the field began to show above the ground. The Crows, no doubt, noted this sprouting corn as soon as I, and soon began to frequent the field, much to my disappointment, as I had taken special care in coating the seed with oil of tar, even going so far as to try some of the prepared seed by feeding it to my hens in order to see if they would eat it, which they would not. But one day a Crow hap- pened to alight near the nest of young Red-wings, and right there and at once war was declared; that Crow left in a hurry with many a C-a-w-k and a very angry, but very proud male Red- winged Blackbird came sailing back after having chased the Crow to a considerable distance. After that the Crows were not allowed on the corn- field or in the vicinity, and my corn thrived unmolested, producing a fine crop, thanks to Major Red-wing. In gathering food for the young, 1 noted that the parents did not secure it in the immediate vicinity of the nest, each bird going to some distance; gathering from the upland fields; pos- sibly food was more plentiful there than near the nest. Breeding Habits — The Red-winged Blackbird has been reported as win- tering as far north as Massachusetts, arriving here in the spring migration the last days of March or the first week in April. The first to arrive are males, in flocks of considerable numbers, the females coming soon after; therefore I think they are unmated at the time of arrival. Nesting commences the last of May to the first of June. The &ests are built oftentimes in low bushes standing in water of two or three feet depth; sometimes a late spring freshet overflows their nests and destroys the eggs or young, as it did in June, 1922. Beal in Biological Survey Bulletin No. 13, states in ex- ceptional cases Red-wing Blackbirds sometimes nest in dry situations, as the nesting of the one I have, de- scribed illustrates. The material of which the nest is constructed is com- posed, as far as my observations go, wholly of dead grass, coarse on the outside and finer used for lin- ing; it is a substantial affair, well made, and old nests often last several years. It has been stated that the Red-wing practices poligamy, but I have yet to find a nest that has not a male attached, or a colony in which there were not as many males repre- sented as there were nests found. Food Habits — Alexander Wilson re- ports that the food of Red-wings in spring and early summer consists of grubworms, caterpillars and various other larvae; also that the young are fed on larvae for at least three weeks. Both he and Audubon are of the opin- ion the millions of insects destroyed by the Red-wing in the early season are fully equivalent and more, for the damage done later in the season ny them. Dr. B. H. Warren states that the Red-wing destroys large numbers of cutworms, having taken as many as 28 from a single stomach; also that THE OOLOGIST 85 grasshoppers, crickets and plant lice are eaten. Beal in the above men- tioned report states that the Biological Survey has examined 1083 stomachs of the Red-wing, collected in every month of the year. Stomach examinations do not indicate a special fondness for grain; weed seeds consists of more than half of the yearly food, while grain less than one-seventh; of fruit almost none. He also states that more weevils are eaten by the Red-wing than by any other bird he has exam- ined. Dr. C. M. Weed, quoting Miss Caro- line G. Soule, says that the Red- wings do especially good work in de- stroying forest-tent caterpillar. They damage my crops very little; some- times in the fall migrating flocks will alight in standing grain or on shocked grain, but the stay is short and dam- age slight. , The pair reported on took no grain that I observed, and the in- sect food taken must have been al- most wholly to my benefit, to say nothing of the help they were in keep- ing the Crows away from my corn- field. Judging by the reported con- tents of stomachs examined, the Red- wing is a decidedly useful bird. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN Telmatodytes Palustris Palustris In northern New Jersey this species is by far the most often found of the two species of Marsh Wrens. It is quite possible that this species is more often met with by the average ob- server, due to the fact that they are not quite so seclusive as their short- billed cousins. On the Newark and Hackensack Meadows and to the head of t'<]n- water on the Hackensack is doubt- less the best place for study o'' t'K- i home life of any in this section. The writer found his first nest in 1907 along Lawyer's Creek, about five feet from the right of way of the Manu- facturer's Railway. This nest was suspended between the stalks of a clump of cattails, about three feet above high tide. At the time of dis- covery the nest contained seven red- dish brown eggs, speckled with lighter and darker shaded chocolate spots. On the following day the clutch had hatched, but one of the nestlings had disappeared, and the nest only held six young. On this same day six other nests were found in a radius of one hundred feet of the first discovery, all of which held nestlings in various stages of growth; some just hatched and others almost ready for flight. These last six were practically situ- ated the same as the first, but the heights varied from two feet to four and a half above high water. In the next succeeding four years, I was employed in a tannery about 500 feet from the site of the first nest that was found in 1907, and during the noon hours, when 1 could spare the time during the nesting seasons of these years, observations were made almost every day, and after the young had left the nest in these seasons observations were made every two or three days for a few minutes as to their life while roving about in search of sustenance. In 1914 the writer spent the entire months of May and June on the Newark Meadows, making observations of the bird life there, and particularly to study intensively the breeding, nesting, incubation, feeding of the young and life after leaving the nest of the species in question. The first males were observed May 2nd, and on the following two days numerous females put in an appear- ance. These wandered about appar- ently unmated until the 8th, when sev- eral males were observed in the early morning in unusually brilliant bursts of melody endeavoring to attract the ' cut ()i of the females, which were about on all sides. Late in the after- 86 THE OOLOGIST noon the first pair was observed in copulation and on the following day, the 9th, pairs were observed every- where in the same process. The first foundation for a nest was found on the 11th, and this was completed by the night of the 13th and the first egg deposited at 9:45 a. m. of the 14th. The set, which consisted of six, was completed on the 21st. The period of incubation in this case was twelve days and four hours from the time of the laying of the last egg. The process of incubation was performed jointly by the male and female, the male al- ways slipping on the nest a few mo- ments after the female left for the purpose of food, bathing and exercise. At times the female would remain away for periods of over an hour, but as soon as she returned to the imme- diate vicinity of the nest the male would fly to the topmost cattail near- by and burst into ecstatic melody. At night the female was always found on the nest when a flashlight was focused on it and the male roosting a few feet away in the adjacent cattails. The male was always, when not trying to burst itself with its songs, on the search for some dainty morsel of food for its patient little mate, and visited the nest many times with these dain- ties. Their diet consists, as near as could be determined, of small insects. The young, after emerging from the shells, were attended by both of the parents, the female performing the major portion of the food visits to the nest. The excreta sacs were removed by the female only. She would carry these in her bill about five or six feet from the nest and drop them while still in flight in the waters below. The nest just described was exactly six feet four inches from the rail of the railroad in a cattail clump on the edge of the marsh, three feet three inches from high water. On the rail- road, trains were passing every few hours, but this would only cause a few moments of unrest in this family at each passing. The eggs of this set was six in number and were gener- ally alike, and like the numerous other nests in the vicinity. The eggs aver- aged .64X.46, the extremes being .68x.48 and .62x.41. During this period of in- tensive study twenty-seven nests were located along this railroad, all within a distance of 900 feet. The largest clutch was eight eggs and the small- est five. The average incubating per- iod of the twenty-seven was thirteen days, three hours from the laying of the last egg in the several nests. The shortest period of incubation was eleven days, five hours, and the long- est fourteen days seven hours. Further work is expected to be done by the writer with this species at some future nesting season to compare their distribution in this particular locality and secure photographs and other more minute details, particularly the weighing of the eggs at various times during the period of incubation, banding of the nestlings, determina- tion of the food of the parents and also the nestlings and weighing of the nestlings at various periods of growth prior to leaving the nest. One thing which the writer has de- termined to his own satisfaction is the fact regarding the handling of the eggs and the young. The pairs often build more than one nest, but after the first egg is laid they will not de- sert the nest in which they have ac- tually begun home life. While they resent very much the intrusion of the observer, still after a few visits and their finding their property unharmed lose much of this fear and often re- mained within a dozen feet of the writer, uttering sincere protests. Most of the observations were made from a grass and cornstalk blind about four feet in diameter and six feet high, and lined on the inside with mosquito net THE OOLOGIST 87 to keep off the mosquitos as much as possible. In addition, it was necessary to wear a bee veil and a pair of com- mon cotton gloves to ward off these pests. This blind the writer left alon:; the edge of the swamp all the while he was making observations and be- cause of the few who visit the spot, it was not disturbed by anyone. Louis S. Kohler, Paterson, N. J. MORE "SAND" We are in receipt of a communica tion from one William Leo Dawson, signing as "Provisional Secretary of the M. M. C. O. and I. M. C. O.," under date of March 14th, from which we draw the inference that more or less sand has filtered its way into the gear boxes containing the executive mechanism of the Museum of Com- parative Oology, with the result of much friction and lack of smoothness in the running. Mr. Dawson says, "I have found my- self increasingly hampered in the ex- ercise of the directorial function with ever dwindling prospects of obtaining on behalf of generous contributors and members the recognition to which 1 felt they are entitled." This is followed by a veiled assault upon one Mrs. M. P. B. Hazard, who is charged as having sent out engraved cards using the title of "Hazard Me- morial Museum of Comparative Oolo- g.v," which had no official sanction. Later in this remarkable communica- tion Mr. Dawson refuses "to quarrel with those of lesser vision," but con- descendingly adds "Never-the-less if there are those who think it worth while to protest the action of the Board in forcing my resignation, they are accorded that privilege." We have so far seen no such protests. And later to those addressed he says, "So far as material, birds' eggs, are concerned you have lost a good deal;" and he then discloses a pro- posed organization of the members of the supposedly now defunct Museum of Comparative Oology, to continue as a de facto organization — "an in- stitution in the making," under Mr. Dawson's leadership, and coaxes for contributions for a "War Chest," out o:' which there is supposedly eventually to grow the "International Museum of Comparative Oology," and winds up with the sentence, "I shall be grateful to you for a frank expression upon this critical and momentous occasion." We are not the least surprised at the turn of events. The Museum of Comparative Oology, in its original conception was a splendid dream and should have realized into a monu- mental reality. Mr. Dawson was not the man to head such an enterprise, being fit neither by nature nor cultiva- tion, for such a position. He lacked that element which is essential to the meeting, cultivating, captivating and keeping the good will of those with whom he came in contact. Was alto- gether too bigoted and dictatorial, in- dividually affected in manner, fussy in disposition and extreme and stagy in language, both written and oral. If Mr. Dawson could only read a dozen or fifteen of the communications out of several dozen that reached us, commenting on our article "Sand" in the December, 1922, Oologist. and would be willing to be chastened, and learn thereby, it would do him a vast amount of good in the remaining years of his life. A man to successfully fill that character of a position must con- cede to those whom he comes in con- tact with at least some slight degree of knowledge and intelligence, and also the right to express their opin- ions reasonably, even though they might differ from those of its "Di- rector." The fundamental underlying theory THE OOLOGIST of Co-operative Museum Building, is a splendid conception, but the swelling of an individual to such an extent as to make the idea and application of this theory secondary and the per- sonal views, ideas, notions, likes and dislikes and vanity of the person take precedence over the Co-operative idea and over the very Museum itself will always result in disaster. A practical, level-headed, common sense applica- tion of this co-operative theory con- not but result in the up-building of a splendid institution, but a vain effort of one to emulate the toad in com- peting with the ox for size, always results in a blow-up, just as it did in the days of Easop. Candidly, we are sorry to see this splendidly conceived institution stranded upon the rocks of possible failure, and we hope ultimately that the idea upon which it was founded may be carried to successful fruition by some one more fitted to manage the ship. R. M. B. WILD DUCKS MAKE OAKLAND FAMOUS Daily Sport of Youngsters in Mansions Nearby Is Feeding Wildfowl. Venice has its pigeons and Oakland has its v/ild ducks. But the ducks are heeding the call of the wild in these warm, spring days and winging their way back to colder regions, whence they came. So there is many a sorrowful young face and many an aching young heart in Oakland, for the daily winter past- time of the children of "feeding the ducks on Lake Merritt" is passing. The duck season of 1916-17 has seen more thousands of wild duck than ever before take refuge on Lake Mer- ritt, the great body of salt water in the heart of a great city. With almost human intelligence, the water- fowl flee to this place for safety, with the first bang of the pumpgun when the duck season opens in California, on October 15. On this body of water, the only salt lake in the world inside a city limits, the ducks rest secure throughout the hunting season. Surrounding the lake are the most beautiful residence sec- tions of Oakland, and broad drives over which automobiles pass constant- ly. The lake is set in the midst of a park which is the playground of thousands daily. Yachts, motorboats and other pleasure craft ply back and forth. Nevertheless, the Ducks rest un- afraid on the portion of the lake reser- ved for them, bask on the lawns and even dodge through the legs of strol- lers. Every morning the city authorities feed them and this is a signal for an outpouring of the youngsters in the homes round about. The Ducks are carefully guarded by the park police. They know it and they know, too, that woe would befall anyone who attempt- ed to harm them. W. W. Richards of Oakland, who has hunted big and little game all over the North American continent, has made a study of the Lake Merritt Ducks for years. He has developed some inter- esting facts. He says: 'The first Ducks to reach Lake Mer- ritt in the fall from the north are spring, or pintails. They begin arriv- ing in the latter part of August, and by September 1st there are tens of thousands of them in California. Most of these sprig come from the Klamath reservation near the California-Oregon state line. "The next migratory flight consists of countless millions of Pintail, Wid- geon, Green-winged Teal, Shovelers, Gadwell, and Mallard. They arrive about the middle of October from the 'Flats' of laska, a bleak area of about I THE OOLOGIST 89 300 square miles of marsh in the vi- cinity of Circle City and Rampart. The freezing of their northern feeding ground drives them to lower and warm- er latitudes. "The next and last flight comes from the Yukon dalta and the Saskatchewan country and consists of thousands and thousands of Canvasbacks and Red- heads. They arrive just as the hunt- ing season opens. "All of these kinds of Wild Duck can be seen on Lake Merriett. They know that no hunter's gun can reach them there. I have hunted Duck all over the country, Init on no other body of water have 1 ever seen so many birds of so many different varieties, all dwelling together in peace with each other and with mankind in the heart of a city of 235,000 inhabitants, within a few minutes' walk of the city hall and surrounded by the constant ac- tivity of a great metropolis." — The Evening News, W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. CONCERNING DATAS Nothing save the joy of my own home life has ever given me the hap- piness that 1 have found at times when, through professional activity, 1 chance to find that, for some one, life is sweeter and better just because 1 have lived — and — living, have spoken. Quite the same has it been the past thirty years, whenever I have chanced to find that something I have said, out of long and tried experiences, may have been suggestive to some young- er brother; and he — to his credit — has been grateful for it. Of this c:haracter, have been very gratifying experiences growing out of my own "boosting" for "Standard" Datas. I feel quite sure that the publisher of the new price list will not be over- sensitive if 1 criticise the mighty- interesting Golden-Eagle Data fac- similied in that price list. (This crit- icism touches just one point.) When one has filed in his card- index several hundred datas, and wishes to refer, quickly, to any of Iheni, it is often a time-saver to have the A. O. U. Number and the Set- Mark, together at the upper left hand corner of the data. I have had oc- casion to notice this a hundred times. .A-gain, as to this same matter of data- filing, to some of us it seems posi- tively imperitive to secure uniformity of size for the filing. How fairly maddening it is to try to file a bit of flimsy one-by-two-iiich paper, with its for-too-brief details, beside some over- large, but delightfully circumstantial data for a set of the same species. It just can't be done! 1 feel that a data blank should be at least just lar^e enough to slip inside a number five envelope. That size is quite small enough. Indeed, I should recommend a thing that 1 by no means always practice — the use of documentary en- velopes for enclosing datas; and even these protected by the legand: "Don't tear the contents." The data size I have indicated is just 3l'^x6^^ inches, and this is plenty small enough. In- deed, it is often far too small. To meet such cases, 1 would sug- gest that when data blanks are or- dered, the stationer or printer be in- structed to cut about a hundred sheets of the same length, but of a half-inch greater width. Then in cases where one wishes to add particulars, it can l)e done l)y filling in one of these fill- ers, beginning an inch below the upper margin, turning forward the half-inch over-plus and gumming this — with fish glue, if you please — to the top edge of the actual data form. This additum. then, as well as the data, should be signed. (Please sign your full name to datas; it might happen that some- 90 THE OOLOGIST body else may have just your initials.) A few words about paper stock. Words could hardly express my posi- tive hatred of cheap, flimsy cottou paper for use in the making of data blanks. If I were a smoker, I surely would, when sending my order to the printer, go without smoking for a week, two weeks if necessary, and stipulate the very best of rag paper for the stock to be used. I suppose 1 have for some fifteen instances, during the past few months, taken time need- ed for other tasks to paste flimsy, nearly-worn-in-two little data forms to a backing of linen paper of the above indicated size. Another word about over-large data forms; I am confident that some of the printed items on eight-inch datas, with over-wide margins, moreover, could well be spared; or at least run over onto filler sheets. The over- large datas do not file easily; some- times cannot be filed, serially, at all, and they almost invariably come to one folded. Now if I were not, as one of my new, delightful California cor- respondents has denominated me, a 'Man of God," I should be often tempt- ed to swear, and to swear venomously, when I open a letter containing datas that I am anxious to examine, just because they come from fine men, when I open the letter and find the datas folded. When my vexation has sufficiently calmed down, I can only sigh deeply and consign the folder to that Heaven wherein nothing will ever be folded (save as all will be in a fold). To recapitulate: The use of datas always three-and-a-half by six- and-a-quarter inches will make all your correspondents your grateful debtor when they come to file your datas; while the use of over-size en- velopes will obviate the danger so often otherwise occurring of tearing datas in opening the container. About just two very important items that must find place in a scientific data: First, the legand, "Identity." Appar- ently even some advanced collectors do not sense the sense of that appar- ently guileless legand. Of course the identity is "Sure" — else you'd never be sending out the eggs. But, how was identity made "sure"? Is it proven by the eggs, by the region, in case of sub-species, or by the call, or the sight of the birds? — one of these four it surely must be, else the eggs are worthless. To illustrate what I mean by "sure." The fakir would as lief lie by saying "sure" as by crying "Nit"; while the use of this over- common word means nothing at all, as ordinarily used. Lastly — In the lower right-hand corner of your data form should ap- pear, with an inch of space beyond, the item, "Field Book." For, at least in case of all valuable sets, the collector to whom your set will go must enter the title and the Field Book reference in his private record. Thereafter, be it ten, fifteen or twenty years, should he lose the given data, he can always secure a duplicate. In datas, as in all written literature, it is deeply true: "Litera scripta manet." P. B. Peabody, Blue Rapids, Kas. Collecting In San Diego Bay Region, Year 1922. By Alfred Cookman, Glendale, Calif. During the year 1922 I was a resi- dent of San Diego, California. It was not convenient for me to make all the trips that I had planned and several localities were overlooked. High school teachers cannot get away from their institutions and friends are not always ready to accompany you when "Nature calls the birdman," and the lure of the wild-wood, the tule-bor- dered lake and the jagged cliffs speaks a "various language." However, I did wander away into the back country THE OOLOGIST 91 to the base of Mt. El Capitan Rnrt Descanso, and along the shores of Cor- onado Beach and the inner harbor of San Diego. I made a flying trip la.;t April to the Coronado Islands, Mex- ico, and spent a few hours among nest- ing California Brown Pelicans (Pele- canus californicus), Farallone Cor- morants (Phalacrocorax dilophus albo- ciliatus) and Western Gulls (Larus occidentals). Nineteen species of birds were observed on the islands. Nearly all the eggs were advanced, and a great many nests contained birds in all stages of development. The Socorro Peterel (Oceanodroma socorrensis) were here, but no nests were discovered. The writer led sev- eral nature walks for the San Diego Museum of Natural History to the shores of Coronado, and the crowds that followed were folks interested in wild life and seemed anxious to know California birds. Saturday morning Nature Walks certainly stimulate in- terest and are well attended in San Diego. Here is a list of the birds taken, year 1922: Two adult male Western Willets. One adult male Ferruginous Rough- leg Hawk. One adult male California Thrasher. One adult male San Diego Towhee. One adult male Cedar Waxwing. Three English Sparrows. One adult male California Jay. One adult male California Shrike. One adult male Killdeer. One adult male Rufous Huinming Bird. One male Arizona-hooded Criole. One adult female Slender-billed Nut- hatcher. One adult male Anthony Towhee. One four-weok-old Califor.iia Brown Pelican. Four sets of Western Gull eggs. Four sets of Caliror.ila Ur :)W.i Peli- can eggs. Nest and set of Anna Humming Bird eggs. Three infant Western Gulls, about two weeks old. One Least Tern. One set of Least Tern eggs — two. One male Bank Swallow. One adult male Ash-throat Fly- catcher. A. Cookman, Licensee, Cal., Fish and Game. THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY AT BOYD'S CREEK Attracted by a group of ornitho- logical specimens in my office window, a man entered and announced what interest his entire family possessed regarding all nature, but especially birds. He was a fellow with little schooling, raised among the "Knobs" of Kentucky, when the County of Barren was almost wholly timbered. After fifteen years of farming in Illi- nois, the family had returned to the land of the "penoroyal," dividing their residence between the old homestead and a town cottage. On April 1st, this year, we visited the old farm, where the stork had de- livered hjm just forty-five years ago. My new acquaintance proved himself extremely talkative, but very observ- ing. A five-mile journey, and we were among the giant chestnuts, beeches and oaks, where his boyish sentiments were cultivated, and years of experi- ence had taught him much in wood- . raft, too. One of the principal fea- ture;; on the trip was our intimate ac- (jnciiitance with a pair of "Wood- (ocks." For many years these birds liiul lived in a damp piece of timber ju^^f a lew hundred yards from the < abin. The male was feeding among do.aycd chips and displayed little con- (ir.i as we advanced. But. my Philo- l.(>la Minor of Northern Indiana and THE OOLOGIST Illinois was not here. This was the nom de plume of the knightly Pileated Woodpecker, acknowledged among all natives the "Woodcock." My com- panion pointed to a huge, dead chest- nut in which the female was excavat- ing. Several holes, none less than seventy feet up, were designated as breeding places during previous springs. What a paradise for "Pecker- woods," as Kentuckians call them. In the immediate vicinity were Red Heads, Downy, Flickers and Red-bel- lied, all paired. "Now, Abbott, let me show you where 'Buzzards' have hatched regu- larly for the last seven years," my guide ventured. Two of the sites con- sisted of huge, fallen logs, entirely hollow, and a Turkey Vulture was hovering around each place. The third nesting place was a crevice in an up- right chestnut, about fifty feet high. A pair of Buzzards were perched in this tree. Our tramping was interrupted fre- quently, while 1 listened to some nar- rative describing the discovery during some previous season of other birds' eggs, such as Whip-poor-will, Hor.ied Owl, Cooper Hawk, Summer Tanangxr and some of doubtful identity, includ- ing Warblers, Vireos and Sparrow^s. On this visit we found several small flocks of Purple Flinches, the males in full song. Gerard Alan Abbott, Glasgow, Kentucky. IT SPREADS A letter from one of the well known bird students of the United States to the editor, contains among other things, the following: "They are at it in Europe, 1 am told. and have made some dozen sub-species of Ravens. Long claws, and short claws, bills, etc. But I suppose 1)usi- ness is dull and that something must be done to prevent dry rot." Possibly in this country something must be done to make those in charge of the expenditure of public money imagine that something is being done by those who are observing public money everytime an imaginary mili- meter race drops into the hopper. R. M. Barnes. Swallows. Something 1 had never heard of be- for*^ occurred this summer. A friend iu:d two pairs of Barn Swallows nest- ing in his §hed — each had five eggs; two pairs of Cliff Swallows came, threw the eggs out and using the nests for a foundation, built up their own in the usual way and raised their young. Never before had I noticed any especial animosity or competition between these two species, both usu- ally minding their own business. Chester S. Day, 27 School St., Boston, Mass. Bronze Grackle Mass Meetings. In November, at Blue Rapids, Kan- sas, in twenty-foot willows along the Red River, the Grackles were swarm- ing for several weeks, to the number of no less than fovir thousand. Flying in, just before sunset, they would alight and sing in tall trees on the south bank of the river. In about a half hour they would cross to the roosting willows, then swarm to the water's edge, fifteen deep — laterally — to drink, then betake themselves to the willows. Strange inequalities in fatness, col oration and in even the locations of the sex-organs, and their condition appeared. Not a few of the Grackles had diseased feet. P. B. Peabodv. COPY The Oologist is again in distress for copy suitable for the June, July and August issues, and we trust our read- ers and friends will respond to this notification, R. M. Barnes, THE OOLOGIST Will Exchange personally .aken Florida sets for books. "Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard. Plant City. Florida. FOR SALE for Cash — Bulletin Coop- er Club & Condor. Volumes 1 to 6 in- clusive, complete, except No. 6, Vol. 1 Oologist. Vol. XI. (1894) complete; Vol. X (1893) complete, except April, July ;»nd November. W. B. Sampson. 1005 Xorth San Joaquin St., Stockton, Cal. "NOT MERELY STUFFED," but per- fect in plumage and condition and ac- curately mounted specimens of the fol- lowing: Goshawk. Spruce Grouse, Prairie Chicken, Ruffed Grouse and Mountain Quail. Will exchange for sets. G^ A. Abbott, Glasgow, Ky. FOR SALE— Natural History Books and Magazines, Antiques, Curios, Min- erals, Insects. Shells and other speci- mens from this locality, or will ex- cliange for Coins and Stamps. Ralph L. Wlaeeler, Canaan, N. H. WANTED -- Rfdgway's ""Birds of North and Middle America," volumes :; and 7, also a Stevens Pocket Shot- gun— 44 calibre preferred. Harold W. Copeland, 122 Park Ave., Bridgewater, Mass. SCOUT MUSEUM We have just started a Museum and would appreciate any curios oi' speci- mens you might have. Send list with price, postpaid. D. C. Bartley, Scout Commissioner, Zillan. Wash. A LLI G A TO I i S^"6r~SAL'E— Can fur- uish tliem from one foot long up to six I't'ct. Have fresli skins ready foi- mount- ing; can send them alive, mounted, or skins. Ask foi- prices. Also Curios, skins and mounted specimens. Ramon Graham. ;j722 Ave J, Ft. Worth, Texas. WANTED— By H. H. Johnson, Pitts- field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXIII, 5; Vol. XXIV, all; Journal Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI. 4; VII, 1; Nuttall Bulletin, all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornith. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37. 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Uwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King. Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED — Lepidopters from the West and Soutli West, especially Splln- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay. 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Phlla. Pen risylvania. WANTED — Prismatic Binoculars. C. S. Sharp. Escondido, Cal. Will give sets of 349 or part cash. How about It? EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two liundred pages, well Illus- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Ool'^arv It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A hiBtorr ot this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illus- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustrations showing proper cabinet arrangements; of specimens, f). Report of the Committee of Twenty-five on prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Birds and Prices adopted for the exchange rf specimens of eggs of each 11. Advertlee^- nients. Paper bound copies $1.00. Clotli Ijound copies $2.00. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. WANTED — For analysis, 1 set each 337 and 339. Must be absolutely fresh, unblown and very carefully packed and sent special delivery parcel post as soon as taken. Write and make agree- ment now. "Will give copy of Bent's Diving Birds to the one who sends me the two sets this spring. Paul G. Howes, 91 Hope St., Stamford, Conn. Cash if preferred to the book. 2-3-4 FOR EXCHANGE — Rare Sets of Eggs such as Dowitcher, Long-billed Mowitcher. Aleutian Tern. Long-bill Curlew, Loon, W^elches Ptarmingan. Sliarp-sliinned Haw'k, Golden Eagle, and many others. WANT — Male and female skins of Richardson and Black Pigeon Hawks; Harris, Harlans, Zone-tailed. Short-tailed, and Red-bellied Hawks: Peals, Pergerine, and Aplomado Fal- cons; Mallard. Widgeon, and Ring-neck Ducks; Purple Sandpiper; "Wandering Tattler; Buff-crested Sandpiper; Black Oysterca teller; Marbled Godwit; Velvet Scotei-; Yellow-crowned Night Heron. K. v.. :Mathes. Batavia, N. Y. WAXTKD^Auk, Vol. 6, No. 1, or en- tire volume. Hoyes Lloyd, 406 Queen .•^t., Ottawa, Canada. Postal Permits, Precancelled Stamps ind Slogan or Advertising Post Marks I'lr sale or exchange. Correspondence solicited. W. E. Snyder, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. ~WANTED— Sets of No. 11. 37. 60, 11 2. ^^^T,, 137, 183, 186. 207. 213, 217, 230. 253, :'P.I, 264, 276, 301, 305, 309. E. S. Coombs, -':;.'! Washington St., Maiden, Mass. THE 00L0GI8T THE WILSON BULLETIN A QUARTERIiY JOURNAL. OF ORNITHOLOGY Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds In Middle North America. Now in its 28th year. 64 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. $1.50 per year, 40 cts. per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. A Biboliograph of scarce or out of print, North American Amateur and Trade Periodicals, devoted more or less to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- arate publications. Price 25 cents. R. M. BARNES. Lacon, III. II 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. The OOlogist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. No. 6. ALBION, N. Y., June , 1923. Whoi.« No. 434 THE OOLOGIST BRIBF iPBOIAL AlVNOUIVGEIMIlfrTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Btc, inserted In this (l«partment at 85 o«nta for each 25 words for one issue; eaeh additional word 1 eent. No notlOG In- serted for less than 26 oentB. DATA BLANKS — I will print 500 Standard Data Blanks with your name on them for $1.50 postpaid. Edward S. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Massachusetts. WANTED — Back numbers of Orni- thological magazines, especially Condor, also any books on Ornithology or Tax- idermy. Egg cabinet also wanted. Write, giving prices. James Suthard, Madisonville, Kentucky. WANTED to hear from collectors having sets of eggs or Bird Skins to dispose of. Cash or exchange. C. F. Pahrman, 1011 Fourth St., La Porte, Ind. ^"jbHN~LORANG. Genesee, Idaho. Col- lector of Idaho Birds eggs, also Bird and Animal Skins for mounting pur- poses. P^or sale or exchange. A black Squirrel Skin MounU^d. FbR~^ALE— Aukri918 and 1920, vol- umes complete, $1.50 each, prepaid. Wilson bulletin, 1920 volume, 90c. Bi- ological Bulletin 17 and 39 also. Fred Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa. In addition to eggs In sets I am making a cosmopolitan collection of singles. Must have accurate data thnr- oughlv identified. Offer skins, eggs, or cash. A. W. Hanaford, P. P. 9. Box 1210. Los Angeles, Cal. BIRD MAGAZINES AND BOOKS WANTED — Nuttall Bulletin; set or parts; The Auk, Vols. 1 to 6, also Vol. 7, Nos. 2, 3, 4; Vol. 9, Nos. 3, 4; Vol. 11, No. 1; Vol. 14, No. 2; Vol. 17, Nos. 2, 3, I; -Iso any Vol. after 35. Cooper Club Hull, and Condor, first 3 Vols. Have ■inny parts of Auk and Bird Lore for -^ile. Want Bent's Diving Birds, for ^vllioll 1 offer $7, for his Gulls and Terns. i;!'lgway"s Birds, odd Vols., Coues' ICey, Ridgway's Color Key; Audubon's Hirds, odd Vols, or Plates. Books on "hooting. Game Birds, Wild Fowl, Big Game. Game Cocks and Cooking; His- tory of Gun.s: Prints for framing relat- ing to Shooting Game Animals. All more noted Works on above subjects in any language, old or new. Prefer to l)uy or sell for cash rather than ex- /•liange. Send me your offers describ- ing fully and name your price. Large Catalogues relation to above subjects ;ind all Nature Study sent on receipt of .'i cents in stamps. S. N. Rhoads, Fianklin Bookshop, 920 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa^ Jun. 3t SHELL COLLECTORS and MUSEIJMS — A fine lot of the "Liguus" or tree snails from the hammocks of Fla. for sale, or will exchange for skins or eggs. Harold H. Bailev, Miami Beach, Florida. Jun. 3t WANTED — Books on "Wisconsin Birds or up to date lists of same. Will pay cash. Address, Carl F. Wright, "Camp Mishike", Winchester, Wis. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — Butter- flies of New England for California Butterflies. T. Love, Collector, 105 Grove, Lynn, Mass. ~"EXCHANGE^or F'ORT SALE — Skins of 478 and 481 A. O. U. No.. Jack D. Baker, Redwood valley, California, Mendocino County. _^^___^ FOR SALE — Ridgways "Birds of North and Middle America," Vols. 1 to S inc. Also back Vols, and Nos. of "Bird-Lore" and other bird magazines. Everett B. Johnson, Hebron, Maine. WANTED — A good pair of second- hand field glasses, medium sized and reasonably priced. Write and send price to J. N. Elliott, Lancaster, Kentucky. W^ ANTED — l~paiF~of adult~Northern Ravens in good feather, either skin or mounted specimens, or if possible, in the flesh. State price or exchange de- siderata. George M. Sutton, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa. I have for EXCHANGE sets of eggs of the following species, A. O. U. Nos.: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 30a, 31. 31a, 32. 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 51, 53, 54, 58, 59. 63. 65, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, RO, SI, 81.1, 83, 86, 86a, 104, 106, 107, 114. 114.1. 115. 115.1. 117. 120, 125, 127, 12S, 132, 134, 135, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 150. 160, 167. 169, 172. 172a. 172c. 174, 178, 179, 1S4, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191. 192. 194. 194b, 196, 199. R. M. Barnes. Lacon, 111. " FOlT^EXCHANGE— Fine sets of 327. 330, 360c, 364, 405, 445, 479 and 551; also many common ones. Will collect mammal skins to order. Desire sets or bird skins. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach. Florida. Jun. 3t FOR SALE ~o7~EXCHANGE— Goss' Birds of Kansas — Ridgwav's Bulletin 50, Vol. 8 — Bent's Gulls and Terns. I want Auks, Bird Books and Magazines. Herbert A. Smith. 431 N. Van Buren .'\ve.. Kirkwood, Mo. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE— A Col- lection of some ten thousand stamps, on separate sheets for each country. Want bird skins for all or nart. Gus. Langelier, Cape Rouge, Que., Canada. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE^Pini personally collected sets of 332-339-343 and a few others. W^ill sell cheap or exchange for desirable stamps. George D. French, I voryton. Conn, FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — Snap- ping Turtle 1-41; Wood Tortoise 1-8; sets of Painted Turtles in June. German Baush Terlux 10 point Prism Binocu- lars. James O. Johnson, Southington, Conn. FOR EXCHANGE —National Geo- graphic Magazine, 1915 to '22, for Bird I>ore and other magazines; also will take sets. J. Earl Harlow, Texico, 111, The OOlocist. Vol. XL. r?o.6 Albion, N. Y. , June, 1923. Wholb No. 434 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. BARNES, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, III. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PKR YEAi: Examine the number on the ■wrapper of your Oolos'ist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expires with this issua Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Albion, N. T., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. WE ARE LATE An attack of ptomaine poisoning fallowed by a vicious as- sault from the flu, just at the time we usually make up The Oologist, laid the editor by the heels and put him to bed for a considerable time. This is the reason the June Issue is late, however taking into consideration the information concerning the price of rare bird books, the wonderful article and illustrations relat- ing to the nesting of the Pink Footed Goose, and the notes from Lower California, North Dakota, Texas, California, New Jersey, etc., we do not believe we have often put out a more valuable issue of The Oologist. We have just received an unusually interesting contri- bution relating to the Penguins of South Africa, accompanied by three good photographs, but outside of this one article our copy box, is really very low. — R. M. Barnes. 94 THE OOLOGIST "ORNITHOLOGIA AMERICANA" Last month we told our readers of the sale of John Lewis Child's Li- Ijrary, and promised to tell them this mouth of the sale of the fine collectio i of books relating to the Birds oi' America, formed by Dr. William C. Braislin, of Brooklyn, New York, which we attended. The sale was held Monday aid Tuesday afternoons, April 2nd and 3rd, at The Anderson Galleries, New- York City, and included 875 separate lots, ranging from single volumes to complete sets of many volumes, and large numbers of pamphlets and serial publications. Dr. Braislin had gathered together one of the finest Scientific Libraries devoted to North American Birds in existence. It was specially rich in rare, unusual and little known items. The sale was attended by most of those that were present at the Child's sale, the bidding at once was spirited, and as appeared to the writer, almost reckless. Some of the prices obtained, which we thought might be of interest to our readers were the following: Audubon's Ornithological Biogra- phy, 5 vols., published by Adam Black, at Edinburgh, 1831-9— $37.50. The same published by Judah Dob- fon and H. H. Porter, 1831., 5 vols., being the first American imprint of this work— $12.00. The same, 5 vols., 1832-9, by Carey and Hart, Philadelphia; Hilliard, Gray and Company, Boston, and Adam and Black, Edinburgh, of which no other set is known containing both the American printed volume — $37.50. Audubon's Birds of North America, 7 vols., 1840-44— $410.00. Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's Land Birds of North America, 1874, with 64 colored plates— $45.00. The same Water Birds, 2 vols., 1884, with colored plates— $87.50. Baird and Cooper Land Birds of California, 1870. Colored plates, 1 vol.— '527.50. Charles L. Bonaparte's American Ornithology, 1823-33, 4 vols— $100.00. The Nidiologist, complete volumes, 1-4— $20.00 John Cassin's Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russia, America, 1 vol., Philadelphia, 1856 — $40.00. Cassin's Mammalogy and Ornithol- ogy of the United States Exploring Expedition, 2 vols., 1859— $55.00. The Natural History of Washington Territory, etc., by Cooper and Suck- ley, 1 vol., 1859— $11.00. Cooper Ornithological Club Bulletin and The Condor, complete — $55.00. Dall, Bannister and Baird's Birds of Alaska, 1869, 1 vol.— $35.00. Zoology of the Voyage of The Beagle, Charles Darwin and John Gould, 1 vol., 1841— $50.00. J. P. Giraud, Description of Sixteen New Species of North American Birds. Collected in Texas, 1 vol, 1841— $130. John Gould's Monograph of the Partridges of America, 1 vol., 1850 — $105.00. Nest and Eggs of American Birds, Nos. 1 to 7 inclusive, by Ernest Inger- soll, 1879-81— $40.00. George Ord's New Geographical Historical and Commercial Grammar, etc., 2 vols., 1815— $105.00. The Suppressed Volume, prepared by Titian R. Peale, of the United States Exploring Expedition, under the Command of Charles Wilkes, 1848, 1 vol. This being the first copy ever offered at auction — $410.00. Ornithology of the United States of North America, by John Townsend, 1 vol., 1839— $295.00. This library also contained the most extensive collection of the works of Alexander Wilson, ever offered for sale at one time, and they brought the following prices. THE OOLOGIST 95 American Ornithology, 9 vols., 1808- 14. Part of which were the first im- pressions and part the second — $20ii. Poems by Alexander Wilson, 1816, I vol.— $7.00. The Foresters: a Poem l)y Alex- ander Wilson, 1848— $4.50. American Ornithology, 3 vols., Text, one volume I'olio plates, published by Harrison Hall, 1828-55—575.00. American Ornithology, First Edition, edited by Ord., 3 vols.. Text one I'olio volume, plates 1828-9- $70.00. Life of Alexander Wilson, by George Ord 1828— $1.50. American Ornithology, by Wilson and Bonaparte, 4 vols., 12 mo., Edin- burgh, 1831— $3.50. The Foresters, second edition, 1838 —$2.00. American Ornithology, with Notes by Jardine . T. M. Brewer, 1840 — $1.50. •Poems and Literary Prose of Wil- son, by Grosart, 2 vol., 1876— $7.00. Alexander Wilson. Poet Naturalist, by James Southall Wilson, 1906— $3.00 American Ornithology by Alexander Wilson and C. L. Bonaparte, 3 vols., 1832, Edinburgh Edition— $20.00. American Ornithology, Philadelphia Edition, 3 vols., 1871— $10.00. American Ornithology, 3 vols., Lon- don Edition, 1876— $15.00. American Ornithology, 3 vols.. New York Edition, 1877— $5.00. American Ornithology, 3 vols., Phil- adelphia n. d. (1878), the latter four items being the Wilson and Bonaparte compilations. Included in this sale was a very large number of local lists, pamph- lets, and many Amateur Bird Journals either in complete series or scattered numbers, nearly all of which long since ceased publication. The entire 875 offerings made at the sale brought an aggregate of $8f)i)0.00. The editor was fortunate enough to secure among other things the follow- ing items. The first fifty-nine volumes of The Proceedings of the Academy of Nat- ural Science of Philadelphia, 1843- lOOT, including all of the colored bird plates published during that period. A complete file of all of The Orni- thological Writings of J. A. Allen. A complete set of all the papers relating to birds with all accompany- ing colored plates from the Annuals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. 1824-1876. Ornithology of the Voyage of th(; Beachy, by N. A. Vigors, 1 vol., 1839. Observations on Nomenclature of Wilson Ornithology, by Charles A. Bonaparte, 1826, 1 vol. Monographie des loxieus, with 51 colored plates of Cross-bills and Gros- beaks, 1850. By Charles A. Bonaparte and H. Schlegel. North American Oology, by T. M. Brewer, 1857, 1 vol. The First Known Directory of American Naturalists, 1865-6. A Monograph of the Alcidae, by Elliott Cones, 1858. One of fifty copies of this publication which were published. The rare first edition of Elliott Coues, Check List of American Birds, 1873. D. G. Elliotts' Monograph of the Pheasants, 2 vols., 1872. Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of the Birds of Ohio. Howard and Mrs. N. E. Jones, 1866. 1 vol. This is one of the most perfect volumes of this great work in existence. Notes on and List of Birds and Eggs collected in Artie America. 1861- 66. By R. McFarlane. (This little item is specially interesting to the writer because in the collection of eggs, which we purchased several years ago from Richard C. Christ, 96 THE 00L0QI8T were a number of eggs taken by this Expedition.) The Birds of Canada, by Alexander M. Ross, 1871. The Birds of Greenland, by Edward Sabine, 1819. Avia fauna of the Gala peg as Island, 1875. Complete file of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories. 6 vols. 1874-82. In addition to the foregoing we se- cured a large number of works of les- ser importance and many pamphlets. Amateur Bird Journals, Separates, and the like which were essential in building up a modern library on the subject of American Ornithology. R. M. Barnes. shouldered eggs in a beech tree about 50 feet from the ground. Raymond Beardsley, East Claridon, Ohio. DATES AND NOTES OF RED TAILED AND RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS Mar. 24, 1921. Took a set of two Red-tail's eggs from a nest in a beech tree about 60 feet from the ground. Mar. 27, 1921. I took a set of four Red-shouldered eggs from a nest in a beech tree about 40 feet from the ground and a set of two Red-tail's eggs, from a beech tree about 50 feet from the ground. April 3, 1921. I took two sets of four Red-shouldered eggs and one set of three. April 9, 1921. A set of three Red- shouldered eggs from a nest in a beech tree about 25 feet from the ground. April 21, 1922. A set of Red- shouldered eggs fro ma nest in a maple tree, about 60 feet from the ground. April S, 1923. I took a set of four and a set of three Red-tailed Hawks' eggs, both from beech trees. April 15, 1923. One set of five Red- THE WINNERS On the title page of the last May issue we printed a half tone of a little girl feeding two young birds, and on page 80, offered the first prize that The Oologist has ever offered since we took the management, to those who might be able to identify the birds. Hon John Williams, of Washington, D. C, Hon. John E. Thayer, Lancaster, Mass., Mr. Maunsell S. Crosby, Rhine- beck, N. Y., Mr. James L. Ortega, Yountville, California, Mr. Alex. Sprunt, Charleston, S. C, have prop- erly identified these young birds as Polyborus cheriway, Audubon's Cara- caras.— R. M. B. ALBINOS Last fall 1 had sent to me what 1 classed as an Alb'no Meadowlark. The bird was the same size as our common Meadowlark but pure white all over with the exception of a spot on the breast about the size of a quarter which was bright yellow. The eyes as near as I could tell were steel grey. I am sorry to say I was unable to mount the bird. It had been badly misused and started to spoil. A friend taxidermist reports hav- ing mounted an Albino Robin while I have in my collection a partly Al- bino Coot. This bird is spotted with slate and white while the feet and legs are spotted with light green, dark green and tan. The bird has no frontal plate and has brown eyes. I would like to hear of other Al- binos. L. W. Speer, Sac City, Iowa. THE OOLOGIst 9f Nesting Cliff of the Pink-footed Goose, Spitzenbergen. The Nest Can Be See at the Top of the White Splash Halfway up the Cliff. — Photo by Major W. M. Cosgrove. M. B. O. U. 98 THE OOLOGIST THE PINK-FOOTED GOOSE IN ITS BREEDING QUARTERS By Major W. M. Congreve, M. B. O. U. The Pink-footed Goose is a well known winter visitor to the British Isles, but like all members of the Goose race it is extremely wary, and consequently more often seen and heard at a distance, than obtained by those who indulge in Goose shooting for sport and otherwise. At present it is only known to definitely breed in the Arctic island of Spitsbergen, but it probably does so in Franz-Joseph Land, and possibly also in Iceland. It was during June and July 1922 that I met with this species at close quarters in Spits- bergen, and on that island it can be described as anything but rare, and is to be met with breeding on the slopes of many of the wider glacier stream valleys, on the sides of pre- cipitous-sided gorges formed by gla- cier streams emerging from the moun- tains, and also on gradual slopes in the immediate vicinity of fjord or open sea. Their nests cannot nor- mally be described as being particu- larly easy to find, owing to the fact that the sitting bird sits extremely close, while the gander on guard either leaves the immediate vicinity of the nest, when one is some dis- tance from it, or else stands so motionless beside its mate that he is quite invisible except at very close range, amid the normal awful deso- lation of stones and weather-worn lichens and mosses, that cover the surface of Spitsbergen. As a general rule their nests are more or less scattered but they are sometimes in colonies and consequent- ly when a colony is discovered by the inhabitants of a mining camp or sealer, their eggs are taken wholesale for food. One cannot blame the in- habitants of such an utterly desolate land for varying their imported food with fresh eggs when available, but it is trying, to say the least of it, when after many disappointments, an orni- thologist discovers a colony, only to find nest after nest empty of eggs which have been taken wholesale for food ! It was a colony of this nature that I visited, with Messrs. F. C. R. Jour- dain and B. W. Tucker on July 3rd, 1922 and from it over 100 eggs had been taken for food by Norwegian miners earlier in the summer. For- tunately for us four nests still sur- vived, but three of them only con- tained respectively 2, 2, 1, hard sat eggs, and it is a moot point whether such short sets are natural. However, the nest which is illustrated in this article had, owing to its inaccessibil- ity, undoubtedly survived the on- slaught of the egg eaters, for it con- tained five eggs. Never shall I for- get the first view I had of this nest. It was about 20 feet down a vertical cliff bordering a boiling torrent, through which fell a considerable waterfall of turbid melted glacier water, and I came suddenly in full sight of it, on a level with my feet, across a 30 foot wide yawning chasm. On the nest and about 50 feet away from me was a Pink-footed Goose sitting tightly in a neat hollow on a herbage covered ledge immediately across, and about 15 feet above the roaring cataract; but, the really amaz- ing sight was the gander mounting guard within a couple of feet of its sitting mate. It was not the first time I had seen a gander Pink-foot mounting guard, quite motionless, with widely set pink legs and anxious expression, but, what I had not seen before, was the priceless exhibition of a normally quite unapproachable Goose try and camouflage itself by turning over on its side by leaning THE OOLOGIST 99 Nest and Eggs of Pink-footed Goose at the Foot of Cliff Spitzbergen — I'lioto by Major W. M. Cosgrove. M. U. O. U. .00 THE OOLOGIST over with head and body nearly ttat on the ground, and remainins thui> with its mate, quite motionless, for ei least half a minute while I was watch- ing in amazement, felt inclined to laugh at one moment at the comica' attitude of the gander and cry tho next, because my camera had bee i left behind at our camp about a m:lo away! The birds eventually flew away, and it was then quite easy to see that the nest contained 5 eggs. Next day armed with camera I again approached the nest, and at once saw that the two birds were present. As bad luck would have it, there was a strong wind blowing up the gorge and the air was consequent- ly filled with spray from the water- fall; while to add to my photographic difficulties, the sun was in an un- favorable position, and it was quite impossible to see the nest in the view finder of my kodak. The birds this time appeared much more restless while the gander refused to lie down a.s before, and the hen at once stood up over her eggs. All I could do was to set my camera at 50 foot focus, and point the lens in about what I thought to be the right direction. The result is as given with this article, and is anything but as suc- cessful as could be wished. The nest was eventually reached, by means of a doubled 1-inch Alpine line held by my two companions and down which I slid to the nest terrace. It was made of the usual mass of Goose feathers and down, placed in a cir- cular hollow in the moss, and was within 2 feet of the vertical drop to the boiling river below into which, I imagine, a young Goose would have no serious difficulty in diving, in or- der to be swept to more congenial surroundings, shortly after emerging from its eggs. The photo of another Pink-footed Goose's nest containing two eggs was taken by Mr. B. W. Tucker and was situated among loose rocks and stones half-way down the side of the same gorge in which I photographed the pair at their nest with five eggs. It was on the opposite side of the gorge to the later nest and was reached without the aid of a rope. SPRING I have been very lax this spring but have noted the following birds. Spring has been backward and cold. April 6th, first Robin; April 10th, first Bluebird, Grackle and Bartram- ian Sandpiper. April 14th I took a trip to a tamarack . swamp about eight miles from here, sunny in morning, and I walked back through a wet marshy snow storm. Saw First Prairie Hens in Severn years, heard one or two calling. First Jack Snipe, Redtail, nest and two plain eggs in elegant bower nest in tamarack tree. First Flicker, one or two Prairie Song Sparrow, first Field Sparrow, several flocks of Warblers. I could not see them good, 1 Southern Downy, 15 or 20 Fox Sparrows, Blue Jays, Robins, Bluebirds, White-breasted Nut Hatch, Crow, first Red-winged Blackbird, several Bronze Grackles and Kill- deers, first European Meadowlark, 4 or 5. Thought once I heard a West- ern Meadowlark. April 16, first Mourning Dove; April 21st, Bartram- ian Sandpiper; April 25th, Hairy Woodpecker been here all winter. April 27th walked out north by river, noted Bartramian Sandpiper, five or six Mourning Dove, first American Bittern, Jack Snipe, Fox Sparrows, first White-crowned Sparrows, prob- ably 5 or 8, first Brown Thrashers, Robins, Blue Jays, Bluebirds, Crows, first Kingfishers. Meadow Larks, Grackle, Flickers; heard either a THE OOLOGIST lol Near View of Nest and Eggs of Pink-footed Goose at Spitzbergen —Photo l)y W. M. Cosgrove. M. B. O. U. lOS THE OOLOGIST Hairy or Downy tapping, Song Spar- rows. Fine day, cold, light north wind. I first heard the Purple Martin April 23rd or 24th. George W. H. vos Burgh, Columbus, Wis. ter record of the Sparrow Hawk in Minnesota, as far as I know. Alza D. Brown, Pipestone, Minn. ANOTHER PRODIGAL SON RE- TURNS A communication received early in May reads as follows: "I used to take The Oologist years ago, and my first literay effort was published in it, as is the case with so many different beginners in ornithology. In this re- spect your paper has a different function from other bird journals and hence deserves the support of us all." And this accompanied by a subscrip- tion remittance. — R. M. B. H. H. Bailey writes that he made a trip to Merritt's Island, the home of the Dusky Sea Side Sparrow, 460 miles, 80 of which was the roughest he ever traveled and he was success- ful in securing some specimens, and he hands us a clipping from a local newspaper in which this Sparrow is referred to as "a rare Blackbird." So much for newspaper ornithology, for which of course our friend Bailey is not responsible. R. M. Barnes. On December 27th a farmer boy brought a Sparrow Hawk to me for identification. The plumage was in high color. The bird was large and a fine specimen and alive. One shot had entered the fleshy part of the breast which did not seem to hurt it much for he was real lively. I tried to have the boy leave it with me but he seemed to think it was something rare and would get big money for it, so he grabbed the bird, stuffed it into a box and would not talk to me any more. He walked off and I have never seen him since. This is the first win- IN LOWER CALIFORNIA A letter from one of our collectors contains the following chatty news re- lating to that country, and its feath- ered denizens. "It seems that the Revolution in Mexico brought about a great change in Mexico as to living conditions. I know when I was here fifteen year.H ago things were very reasonable. Now living is high. For instance, a small box of matches is .3 cents gold. You have to pay $75 gold to go from here to La Paz, 140 miles by auto. Shot gun shells are 12% cents each, gold. You pay 80 cents gold for a small can of peaches. However, from all I hear this is the worst place in Mexico. You are right in supposing that this country was four-fifths treeless, rocky hills. It's 99/100 that. This little valley is about all the agricul- tural land in hundreds of miles. The weather has been ideal up till now (May 20, 1923), but it has started out to get real hot. One has to get up at daylight to hunt. As soon as the sun is well up clouds of gnats ap- pear which are a great pest. When one stops to wrap a bird they make for your eyes which seem a favorite place for them. All the winter birds have gone ex- cept a few White-crowned Sparrows, so there are no birds to speak of in the cultivated areas and one must hunt on the desert among the gnats. We expect to leave here on the-next boat for a cooler climate, to Lake Chapala, near Guadalajara, which is only about six hours from Mexico City. Mrs. Lamb doesn't feel able to make the hot arduous mule-back ride to the mountains, but in the fall we THE OOLOGIST 103 hope to go to La Paz where we can work to the mountains and also some of the islands. We are still treated very nicely here, though I have to manoeuver around some every time I make a shipment. I hope you receive both shipments of birds in good shape. Up to now have taken some 600 birds of 125 species. The past three weeks I have had no cotton, however, I needed a rest. Haven't taken any eggs except those of San Lucas Cac- tus Wrens and Cape Verdins. Inclosed is a short list of birds that visit my back yard. Western Gnatcatcher, San Lucas Cactus Wren, Texas Nighthawk, Bul- lock Oriole, Scott Oriole, White- crowned Sparrow, San Lucas House Finch, San Lucas Cardinal, Gilded Flicker, Gila Woodpecker, Audubon Caracara, Dwarf Cowbird, Sonora Redwing, Brewer Blackbird, Yellow- headed Blackbird, White-winged Dove, Mexican Ground Dove, Roadrunner, Redstart, Least Vireo, Audubon Warb- ler, Belding Yellowthroat, Yule Yel- low-throat, Cooper Hawk, San Lucas Sparrow Hawk, Xanthus Humming- bird, Costa Hummingbird, Lower California Flycatcher, Clay-colored Sparrow, Western Flycatcher, Lutes- cent Warbler, Xantus Jay, McGillvary Warbler, Cassin Kingbird, Black Phoebe, Barn Owl, Barn Swallow, San Lucas Pyrrluloxia. All these were in a yard fifty by a hundred feet in cen- ter of town. I do enjoy my daily swim in ihe gulf in spite of the wa.-ning of my Mexican friends of "too nian''^ sharkees." Also they say "muchas culebras in el campo," which i^eans lots of snakes, though I have seen neither snakes or sharks. In my in- voice of birds I sent before I beiieve there are two or three nam^?d wrong- ly. I hope when I get to the moun- tains and islands to have many desir- able skins for you. We still continue to like this coun- try and are going to try and se3 more of it. Wish you could join nu> in La Paz next fall for a while. That place is fair- ly accessible. You take the train to Negoles, Ariz., then to Guymas, ftiex., and from there, there are frequent boats leaving for La Paz. They say paladisino (malaria) is bad here but as yet we have been feel- ing fine, but I notice the less I do th'^ less I want to do. If you know oi" any one that wants foreign skins, wor.ld be glad to have their address." Yours sincerely, Chester C. Lamb, San Jose del Cabo, Lower Calif., MexiCO. BIRD NOTES FROM WARD COUN- TY, NORTH DAKOTA Never having had the opportunity to spend a collecting season in a lo- cality so rich in bird life as the D^s Lacs valley, Ward County, North Da- kota, I have fairly reveled in the do- lights of bird study and oology so far as my time and the season has per- mitted. The spring has been cold and backward and the birds have been, slow arriving and getting started housekeeping, and I find the nesting dates much later than in S. W. Min nesota where I was formerly locateci. On May 2nd I took my first set of Magpie (A-5) and on May 6th I took a fresh set of Long-eared Owl (A-5) and a set of Western Horned Owl (A-2). The Des Lacs valley is deep- ly indented along the south rims with coulees extending back one to three miles and thickly wooded with elm, ash, poplar and a dense under brush of choke-cherry and red and black hawthorn. So far this season these coulees have been populated with vast 104 THE 00L0GI8T numbers of the common Crow and with Magpies but the past two weeks has added greatly to the bird life and 1 have observed many pairs of Spar- row Hawk, Krider's Hawk, Flickers, Wood Thrush, Towhees, Brown Thrasher, Catbird and every small pool has its pair of nesting Mallards or Pintails. I have examined thirty-five of forty Crow's nests in the vain hope of find- ing a set of eggs in the brown phase and but one set of eggs has been heavily incubated, most of them be- ing fresh or nearly so. Having located the nest of a Marsh Hawk, I went out this morning armed vv'ith a camera wishing to obtain a good photograph of it and having no thought of collecting the eggs as I had all I cared for in my collection, Init on arriving at the nest I found that the eggs were of a phase that I had never seen, being freely marked with beautiful brown splotches. This is the only set out of about a hundred I have examined, that had these markings. This afternoon I went out into the hills of the Coteau du Mis- souri to study the waterfowl, which nest abundantly in the numerous sloughs among those hills and in- cidently searched through many acres of buck brush, hoping to find nests of Short-eared Owl or Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, but all 1 was able to find were two nests of Marsh Hawk and a nest of Pinnated Grouse. My wife found a nest of Mallard which we left for the edification of the nimrods of the coming season. Every slough and pot-hole had its quota of pairs of various waterfowl and among them were noted Mal- lards, Pintails, Baldpate, Blue-wing Teal, Spoon-bills, Greater Scaup Ducks and one pair of White-winged Scoter. Several pairs of Eared Grebe, Coot and Pied-billed Grebe were seen. All of the Ducks seemed to be in pairs except a number of lone drakes of the Mallard and Pintail, it thus ap- pearing that they are the only va- rieties that have begun incubation. We also saw numerous pairs of Bar- tramian Sandpiper, Lesser Yellow-legs and a few Willet and Wilson Phala- rope. The patches of buck brush contain numerous clay-colored Spar- rows and the grassy slopes resound Vv'ith the ze-o-e-e-e of the Grasshopper Sparrow. Along the edges of the frain fields the beautiful Chestnut- collared Longspur and McCown's Longspur and Vesper Sparrow are numerous. In the thickets of alder which line the shore of some of the sloughs are found many Rusty Blackbirds and Kcd-wings and the Yellow-headed Blackbird can be seen in the gras.^y bayous. So far I have seen not a single specimen of the Bronzed Grackle, which is so numerous farther east and south. A few pairs of Arkansas Kingbird and Loggerhead Shrike are in evi- dence in the farm groves and the first Bobolink was seen today. A. S. Peters, Donnybrook, North Dakota. May 20, 1923. SWANS On April 19th while fishing through the ice 1 heard the familiar "honking" of Geese, although the sound did not sound exactly like these birds. I could not see the birds although they were not far away. 1 thought about it sev- eral times during the day. The next day, April 20th, while sitting in my cabin I again heard the peculiar honking and this time I saw the birds. They were coming across the lake flying fairly high in a V- shaped flight varying it at times as birds of this nature do. They were a magnificent flock of Swans number- ing from forty to sixty birds. I was THE OOLOGIST 105 really too excited to count them as these were my first Swans In the wild state. Of course the species was im- possible to determine as they only stayed in view a few minutes. The birds apparently wanted to light but the lake was entirely frozen over. One of the natives here says that this is the first time he has ever seen Swans in the spring of the year, al- though in the fall oftentimes they light on the lake for a short rest, and sometimes an overnight stay. I thought that a flock of Swans of this size should be recorded. Carl F. Wright, "Camp Mishike," Winchester, Vilas County. Wis. April 21, 1923. BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER GOING THE PASSENGER PIGEON ROUTE The time has come when laws must be enforced or this bird will be spoken of in bird articles just like the Passenger Pigeon is today. The automobile is the birds' enemy. A few years ago when none but the rich could own a car the birds had a chance as the hunters would hunt them in buggies. Now every one that could afford a horse a few years ago owns a car today. So the Plovers have no chance because a Tin Lizzie can be on top of a bunch of them before they can take flight. Also the automatic has come into play in the destruction of bird life, instead of a hunter killing one bird or maybe two when they flew up, he kills, that is if he is a good shot, three or four birds before they get out of shooting distance. One hunter told me of a hunt he and a friend had a few days ago a few miles south of Ft. Worth on the rolling prairies. For one hour's straight run over the prairie the en- gine never stopped and their auto- matic barrels got hot. They killed 68 and no telling how many they wound- ed. Left to die on the prairie. That's killing more than one a minute and this kind of hunting was going on all around Ft. Worth during April and goes on every year, so how long do you expect the Plover to last? Ramon Graham, Texas Bird Notes, 1923. Who are the State and Federal Game Wardens at Fort Worth and vicinity, that permit such slaughter. They should be removed and real ones ap- pointed.—R. M. Barnes. SPARROW HAWK'S BILL OF FARE After preparing the skin of a Spar- row Hawk (Falco sparverius sparver- ius) which I collected near Goodyear, Solano County, this winter I examined the stomach contents and found this organ to contain in addition to other material a snake a full eight inches in length in perfect condition and in its entirety except that the head had been dismembered and somewhat crushed, which dismemberment was no doubt done by the bird before swallowing. I sent the snake to the University of California and Professor Storer ad- vised me that this reptile was a feopher snake (Pituophis catenifer),a young individual possibly of last year's brood. The other contents of this stomach ( onsisted of two whole crickets, two large whole beetles, an angle worm, and remains broken up and partly di- gested of a number of crustaceous and aquatic insects. In fact this Hawk, a female, had so fully gorged herself that the snake literally popped out at me when the stomach burst open after [ had touched my knife to it. Emerson A. Stoner, .March 15, 1923. Benicia, Calif. loe THE OOLOGIST KENTUCKY The Kentucky Ornithological So- ciety was organized in Louisville, Ky., April 19th, 1923, with the follow- ing officers. Pres., Dr. L. Otley Pindar, Ver- sailles, Ky. Vice-Pres., Brasher C. Bacon, Madi- sonville. Sec. Treas., Prof. Gordon Wilson, of Bowling Green. Its object being the study and pro- tection of the bird life of the state. The next meeting will probably be held in Louisville at the same time as the regular meeting of the Ken- tucky Educational Association. HARD LUCK Much in The Oologist of late of good luck on field trips — why not a hard luck story now and then? Here I sit in a sunny valley at 9000 feet elevation and watch the hills around the town, knowing that a hun- dred nests of Rocky Mountain Jay are in sight. I can see with my glasses two Eagle nests and can limit to a few hundred yards two Great-horned and nests. On the slope of Mt. Ken- dal I have seen a Rough-leg light in the same place a dozen times. Why the hard luck? Those who live in the mountains know. Snow is any- where from 3 to 30 feet deep and noth- ing but snow shoes would get a man across the first drift. 1 have the snow shoes but the hills are steep hereabouts and make any man grunt in summer when the footing is its best with no open ground, snow storms any day on two minutes notice and real danged of snow slides if one ven- tures out of the pines. I wish I were down again in Illinois whe^-e the woods and marshes are clear. J. K. Shallenberger, Sllverton, Colorado. RAMBLING IN NORTH DAKOTA Yesterday 1 took a ramble of some ten miles through the deep wooded coulees along the breaks of the Des Lacs River in search of birds and pos- sible nests. The season is rather backward this year and not many mi- grants have arrived. The Meadow- lark, Robin, Killdeer and Song Spar- row are the most numerous of the spring arrivals. I also saw a few Northern Flickers, Slate-colored Jun- cos and several pairs of Marsh Hawks. None of the larger Hawks appear to be here yet although the timbered coulees afford most excellent nesting places. 1 saw a single Richardson's Merlin. The Ducks are paired and seeking the small pot holes. Sevehil pairs of Mallards and Pintails were flushed. Crows are very much in evidence and are starting their housekeeping arrangement and the Magpies are like wise busy. I found several of their nests that were completed and lined ready to receive the eggs but none had been laid as yet although there were several nests high in slender tree from which a bird emerged as I approached and these might have con- tained eggs but they were far beyond the reach of a two hundred pound man. There are hundreds of Sharp-<^ailed Grouse along the coulees and the edge of the fields and with a favorable sea son for nesting they should increase greatly this year. This will be my first season in this locality but it should prove to be a wonderful place for a bird student and oologist as the conditions are ideal for all kinds of bird life. A. S. Peters, Donnybrook, North Dakota. THE OOLOGI8T 107 GAME LAWS We have recently received informa- tion that the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan, Canada, has re- laxed the game laws of the Province "Making it legal for farmers to shoot out of season Wild Ducks which are damaging the crops." And also a statement that many reports have been received from parts over that Province that the birds are causing much havoc in the grain fields. Recently a paper at Peoria, Illinois published a silly scare headed inter- view with an alleged farmer, reciting that the Wild Ducks along the Illinois river have become so plentiful and tame this season that they are eat- ing up great quantities of his corn in the field and unless relief came soon he would have to kill a few thousa-cui of the web-footed Crows with a club All of which is silly bunk and propa- ganda, pure and simple. A few thous- and Ducks scattered over the miliioiiB of acres of Canadian wheat will do no appreciable damage and no farmer who is fit to be called such has any corn in the field in Illinois in April This sporadic veiled attack upon the wild fowl eminates from that debased portion of humanity who are paying to see these birds increasing as the re suit of the elimination of spring shoot- ing and worse fingers itch to pull the trigger every time they obcfve the growing confidence and tameness of the Ducks migrating at the .season which in the vicinity of Lacon, where there are now thousands of migrat- ing birds on the river, frequency goes to the extent of the wild birds sitting quietly and permitting a continu(nis auto traffic to pass within from thirty to one hundred feet of them with nit the slightest uneasiness or alarm. The originators of this effort to kill Ducks out of season are the class who think murder and blood shed every time the see a hen Mallard winging her way North carrying from ten to fifteen eggs, most of which will late in the fall be healthy, vigorous birds. Their desire to exterminate the mother, the eggs and the prospective fiock of fall birds with one pot hot, in March, April or May outweighs their conscience (if they ever had one) and gives rise to an imaginary reason why they should be allowed so to do, in- cluding statements that the Duck^s have become so numerous that they are pulling up all of the wheat in the vast Dominion of Canada, and ate up last year's corn crop in the Illinois fields in April. We trust the Game Department of Saskatchewan will rescind this or- der. It is my opinion the door for lawful violation of a splendid law should be enforced — R. M. B. THE PILEATED WOODPECKER As the editor wishes us to write our experiences of different kinds of birds, I will write what I have learned about the Pileated this year, with the good luck I had taking these eggs. I have had a good chance to learn something about them I never knew before. I began to locate these nesting sites about the first of April. I had always taken full sets by the 4th to 10th of April until this year. My first take was the 15th I think, and now today, the 24th, I've taken my 12th set and look to get that many more. I first began to climb trees when the bird would fly out of the hole thinking I would get a set of eggs, but no eggs. I always had to chip out a little of the upper part of the hole to get my hand in, then I thought the bird would quit the nest but 1 found out when passing a week later, when I rapped on the tree, the bird would stick her head out and the next rap she would fly out and if she returned in a few 108 THE OOLOClSt minutes I always took a full set of eggs but if she didn't return never a full set, so they don't quit the nest when you put your hand in it before or after they lay. Now, I find out they don't lay every day, but two or three times a week, but you can always find the bird at home, and 1 believe they go to sitting on first egg layed, as I have taken some far advanced and others fresh in some nests, as this is the way I found them. But what a risk a fellow runs to take them, nearly always in a dead rotten tree. Most of the time high. One day I climbed a dead ash tree sixty feet up and took a set and the next day passing through there the tree had fallen and broken into two pieces where the nest was. 1 wouldn't be penning these lines today if it had broken while my belt was around it. 1 find that you can get a second set close to the first in two weeks, if you watch close, as I've taken a second set from the same bird, only ten yards from the first, but twice is as many times anyone should take any bird's eggs. So much for the Pileated, but hard to get. G. E. Pilquist, Dardanelle, Ark. NIGHT SINGING OF THE YELLOW- BREASTED CHAT The writer would be more than pleased to hear from any observers from different foints in the range of this species as to their experiences concerning the singing at night of these birds. On the adjacent hillsides near my home in Richfield, N. J., this songster appears about May 8th and from that time until early August is heard daily singing when, of course, its music is dimmed by the reason of the moulting season. During the breeding and nesting periods every night the males are heard from sunset to sunrise, they apparently being so elated with their mates and offspring that they seem to forget that night is the time for sleep and rest. Dr. Chapman, in his Warb- lers of North America, says: "Heard at night, when especially, if it be moonlight, the Chat often sings freely, the performance takes high rank among the songs of North Ameri- can birds," but 1 am led to believe from twenty years of observation that the environment in which the nest is lo- cated bears an important part on these moonlight sonatas. At numer- ous points in Northern Passaic Coun- ty, pairs have been observed through- out their nuptial periods and the nightly concerts have been rather ab- breviated as to those which I now hear nightly. At Butler, Midvale, Pompton Lakes and Hawthorne, where I had time to spend in intensive work, the night songs only consisted of a few snatches uttered probably once or twice during a night. But here in Richfield, the males sing sometimes for fifteen or twenty minutes at one time and they may be heard in similar periods throughout the night. Is is possible that the nearer they are lo- cated to the northern limits of their natural range in their respective faunal area bears any significance on their night singing? I would very much like to hear from observers in the southern New York counties along the northern border of New Jersey and adjacent Pennsylvania counties bordering on the Delaware north of the 41st parallel. Louis S. Kohier. THE 00L0GI8T 109 TWO NOTABLE RECORDS Ou January 30tli, last (1923),! was watching a mixed group of Chickadees, Nuthatches (White and Red-breasted), Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, feed- ing on dormant wood ants, exposed by wood cutters splitting up a large dead basswood tree in a 20-acre wood-lot, located on the south edge of the town of Chili, Monroe County, New York. It was an extremely cold day, tem- perature hovering around zero, with a stiff west wind and snow squalls. I noticed a small bird in the under- brush, evidently keeping company with them, the first glimpse reminding me of a Purple Finch in fall plumage. On closer inspection, I recognized the Gray-crowned Leucosticte (Rosy Finch). I have had skins of this bird on several occasions, but this was my first chance to observe a live bird. It stayed close around for half an hour, at times as close as fifteen feet, and there was no question as to iden- tity. Eaton did not find a state record for his "Birds of New York," and classes it as an extremely rare winter straggler. On March 2nd, last, in another wood of about the same size, a mile north of the last, I heard a raucuous squawk that was new to me, and on closer ap- proach found a pair of Northern Pile- ated Woodpeckers quarreling with a male Red-headed Woodpecker. A party residing close by stated that they had been in the v/oods several days. It was again my first view of a live bird. Ernest H. Short, Rochester, N. V. ground, in an alder bush, and when discovered on June ISth, had a brood of four ready to leave the nest. The young hastily left the nest as I ap- proached within a few feet of them, and eluded all attempts to capture for the purpose of banding. Observations for a number of years in this particu- lar location had led me to believe the species nested here, but this is the first nest I have located. On numer- ous occasions young, five to ten weeks have been seen, and for this reason was sure of my ground. During 1923 I intend to watch more closely and may be able to observe more of their home life here. Louis S. Kohler. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER In the hills north of the State Normal School at Montclair Heights, N. J., a Chestnut-sided Warbler nested in the spring of 1922. The nest was located about three feet from the DECEMBER, 1922, IN RICHFIELD, NEW JERSEY Unlike a number of years past, the weather during this month has been more than usually rigorous. The month was marked by two very severe sleet storms, which played havoc with our feathered friends and deprived them of their natural food for several long periods. The Crows, which usu- ally are either observed in the adjacent hills or flying high overhead, have this month been haunting the fields and gardens in search of availal)le food. Blue Jays are to be found on all sides. In the yards immedin. .ely about the residences the Juncoes, Tree Sparrows and Song Sparrows roved about in small flocks, picking up what- ever feed they could find to sustain themselves. Bird seed and cracked corn was placed in among the berry bushes, and suet, peanuts and pieces of raw meat at different points in the peach and apple orchards. Downies and White-breasted Nuthatches, and an occasional Chickadee enjoyed these tidbits. On the 15th a Cardinal put in an appearance and a Northern Shrike was observed over the rose beds of the nurseries here. These no THE OOLOQISt latter two are very rare visitants to this particular locality, but the Blue- bird, which is found quite regularly throughout December here, was only observed on the 5th. The Sparrow, Marsh and Sharp-shinned Hawks were observed several times during the month, but not a Barred or Long-eared Owl has been seen. This latter con- dition is rather unusual; both of these siocies have not missed being seen for nearly twenty years past in this locality. On the 29th a Screech Owl was found nearly frozen, a note on which appears in another article in the Oologist. Louis S. Kohler. AN UNTIMELY END On December 28th a terrific ice and sleet storm prevailed in Northern New Jersey and enveloped every tree, wire and shrub with a coating of heavy ice. Just in the rear of my home in a hollow, dead chestnut a family of Flickers made their home during the spring of 1922, and in early December a Dark Phased Screech Owl used this hollow cavity as a shelter during the day and was seen about each nighi near the barn, where numerous mice were always present, owing to the abundance of grain for the live stock. This owl made numerous catches of these rodents and fared quite well on them. On the morning of the 29th, I happened near this hollow tree and looking up at the nest entrance saw at once it was sealed over with a sheet of ice about an inch thick. Thinking perhaps our little friend was impris- oned within, I climbed up and broke away the ice and sure enough the owl was within, but so nearly dead from want of fresh air that I carried him into the house to warm him and possibly resuscitate him. However, in spite of my kindly efforts, he ex- pired on the afternoon of the 29th, and now is in the hands of a taxiderm- ist, and when finished will hold forth in my museum. It is sad indeed to lose his services as a mouse-trap, but 1 am compensated by having him with me for all time in the cabinet. Louis S. Kohler, Richfield, N. J. "WILL WOODPECKERS FLUSH BY POUNDING TREE?" If she is in there, she will come out. Give that tree a rap or pound her good and Woodpeckers will always come out. This is what Sy Perkins said. But it won't work. 1 rowed my boat up to a dead tree with a hole in it and I pounded several times. "Nothing do- ing," said the farmer boy to me. "1 here's none there." 1 said "Well, let's see." 1 stood on the hood of the boat and could hardly reach the hole. 1 stuck my fingers down in the hole, but pulled them out much faster than I stuck them in, saying, "Darn that sharp-billed devil!" Then 1 pounded some more but the Woodpecker would not come out. So I pulled some of the bark away and could touch the bird but she would not come out. So 1 pulled her out and found that it was a Red-bellied Woodpecker. There was a nice fresh set of four eggs in this hole that the farmer boy wanted me to pass up. If anybody tells you that a Wood- pecker, Owls or any hollow nesting bird will come out when you pound on the trees, tell them not every time. Ramon Graham, Ft. Worth, Tex. THE BIRDS REVENGE "Why was 1 born?" Dr. Crane in The Pall Mall Gazette. It is supposed that the Storks had a grudge against the Cranes. — London Punch. THE OOLOGIST 111 NESTING OF THE GOLDFINCH IN 1922 IN NEW JERSEY. During the breeding season of 1922 in Northern New Jersey, the writer was fortunate enough to locate three homes of the American Goldfinch (As- tragalinus tristis). The first nest was found in Rich- field, near Valley Road, on Van Houten avenue, on July 15th. in a wild cherry adjacent to the roadside and con- tained on discovery a set of two eggs. On the 19th this set was complete with five eggs, and fourteen days after the young emerged from the shells and the fond parents succeeded in rearing these fledglings until the time of flight when all disappeared from the vicinity. Bands No. 1706 to No. 1710 of the A. B. B. A. were placed on these nestlings before they left the nest. I placed these bands because those from the U. S. Department of Agriculture which I ordered several times did not arrive and up to the present have not been received. The second nest was found on July 18th, in Little Falls, Passaic county, and contained a clutch of four eggs. This nest was located about twelve feet up in a pear tree in an orchard near the Browerton road. The eggs of this set were of a much paler blue than those of the first set and were slightly larger. They averaged .68x..55, whereas the first clutch averaged .62.5 X..50. As this second set was so nearly incubated I am led to believe they hatched in a day or two after, as when the nest was next visited, on the 25th, the young were well developed. The third nest was located op Au- gust 1st, at Montclair Heights, in a clump of alders near the State Nor- mal School, with the young ready for flight. The young took to the wing when I endeavored to clamber up to observe them. This braod consisted of six, the largest I have ever located. I tried to capture some of them to band them, but was unsuccessful. Louis S. Kohler. THE MEETING TREE. A dense forest extends for miles each way along the north bank of the Trinity River, four miles east of Fort Worth. In the forest is a bare spot, say two hundred feet each way, and in the middle of this spot stands a dead Spanish oak. While squirrel hunting at day break one morning, I came upon this tree; I sat down at the edge of the woods and watched the tree. At one time I could see dozens of birds of different kinds come and light in the tree, chirp around, say hello to each other and depart in search of their daily feed. As this was the only open space where they could meet and get the morning light, I have named it the "Meeting Tree." Everything from a Chickadee up to a Turkey Vulture paid this old tree a visit. 1922 notes. Ramon Graham, Ft. Worth, Tex. The Florida Gallinule In Philadelphia, Pa., In Winter. I have in my possession the skin of a Florida Gallinule that was cap- tured alive on February 12, 1913, by my brother, George, at Richmond, Philadelphia, Pa. It was an adult male and was a wounded individual left behind in the migration, as it was un- able to fly but several yards, and in skinning it I found a number six shot, badly smashed, lodged in the big mus- cle of the right wing. It was quite emaciated, and its stomach con- tained about a thimblefull of freshly eaten sand and fine gravel; its intes- tines contained some greenish-colored lifiuid. George captured the bird on a sandy beach along the Delaware River, at 112 THE OOLOGI8T the base of the six-foot stone dyke, and it sought to escape into one or the many holes in the walls. It was quite aggressive and pecked savagely at any one handling it. It had lived through most of the winter in the ad- jacent cat-tail marsh, subsisting upon a meagre fare of food, probably de- vouring anything eatable it could find. This is my second record of the oc- currence of the Florida Gallinule in winter at this locality. A friend of mine, George Patrick, found a frozen bird on December 17, 1910, in the cat- tail marsh. Richard F. Miller, Philadelphia, Pa. STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION, ETC., REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912, of The Oologist, published monthly at Albion, N. Y., for April 1, 1923. STATE OF ILLINOIS, County of Marshall — ss. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared R. Magoon Barnes, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the owner of The Oologist, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, manage- ment, etc., of the aforesaid publica- tion for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 443, Pos- tal Laws and Regulations. Publisher, Editor, Managing Editor, and Business Manager, R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. Not a corpor- ation. No stock has ever been issued. The Oologist is owned exclusively by R. Magoon Barnes. There are no bond holders, mort- gagers or other security holder, none have ever been issued. R. MAGOON BARNES. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of June, 1923. (Seal) FAY BALL. My commission expires Feb. 16, 1927. THE LOON IN PENNSYLVANIA AND IN NEW JERSEY IN SUMMER. In my notes for October 1, 1912, I find the following entry: "Mr. Axe told me he mounted a big loon for Harry Smith, the liquor dealer, of Frankford, who shot it on July 5 of this year, on the Neshaming Creek, above Bridge water, Buchs county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Axe said it was very lean and emaciated, and that the two webbs of one foot were severed at the toes, so that in swimming, he thought, the bird swam lop-sided and for that reason proved to be an easy target." Mr. Edwin C. Axe was a well known Frankford, Philadelphia, Pa., taxi- dermist and an ardent sportsman. He told me that this was the only Loon he had ever seen in summer in Penn- sylvania. It was probably a wounded individual left behind in the migra- tion. I have never seen the loon in sum- mer in Pennsylvania, but during 1922 I observed two individuals at widely- separated localities on the New Jersey coast. One was seen on June 17th, on Two-mile Beach, Cape May county, swimming in the surf, a few yards from shore, and the other on July 2, on Island Beach, Ocean county. Richard F. Miller, Philadelphia, Pa. NORTHERN NEW YORK WINTER RESIDENTS Leo J. Provost, of Plattsburg, New York, reports the American Robin, American Merganser, Golden Crowned Kinglet, Horned Lark, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Juncos, White and Red-breasted Nuthatches, and a flock of about forty Starlings as wintering in his vicinity. R. M. Barnes. THE OOLOGIST "NOT MERELY STUFFED," but per- fect in plumage and condition and ac- curately mounted specimens of the fol- lowing: Goshawk. Spruce Grouse, Prairie Chicken, Ruffed Grouse and Mountain Quail. Will exchange for sets. G. A. Abbott, Glasgow, Ky. FOR SALE — Natural History Books and Magazines. Antiques. Curios, Min- erals, Insects, Shells and other speci- mens from this locality, or will ex- change for Coins and Stamps. Ralph L. Wheeler, Canaan. N. H. WANTED — Ridgway's "Bh-^ds of North and Middle America," volumes 2 and 7, also a Stevens Pocket Shot- gun— 44 calibre preferred. Harold W. Copeland, 122 Park Ave., Bridgewater, Mass. Will Exchange personally .aken Florida sets for books. Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies. Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. FOR SALE for Cash — Bulletin Coop- er Club & Condor. Volumes 1 to 6 in- clusive, complete, except No. 6, "Vol. 1 Oologist. Vol. XI. (1894) complete; Vol. X n.S93) complete, except April. July and November. W. B. Sampson, 1005 North San Joaquin St., Stockton, Cal. WANTED — For analysis," l~set~each 3S7 and 339. Must be absolutely fresh, unblown and very carefully packed and sent special delivery parcel post as soon as taken. Write and make agree- ment now. T\''ill give copy of Bent's Diving Birds to the one w'lio sends me the two sets this spring. Paul G. Howes, 91 Hope St., Stamford, Conn. Cash if preferred to the book. 2-3-4 FOR EXCHANGE — Rare Sets of Eggs such as Dowitcher. Long-billed Dowitcher. Aleutian Tern. Long-bill Curlew, Loon. Welches Ptarmingan. Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden Eagle, and many others. WANT — Male and female skins of Richardson and Black Pigeon Hawks; Harris. Harlans. Zone-tailed. Short-tailed, and Red-bellied Hawks; Peals, Pergerine. and Aplomado Fal- cons; Mallard. Widgeon, and Ring-neck Ducks; Purple Sandpiper; Wandering Tattler: Buff-crested Sandpiper; Black Oystercatcher; Marbled Godwit; Velvet Scoter; Yellow-crowned Night Heron. K. B. Mathes. Batavia. N. Y. WANTED— Auk, Vol. 6, No. l7or en^ tire volume. Hoyes Lloyd, 406 Queen St.. Ottawa, Canada. Postal Permits. Precancelled Stamps and Slogan or Advertising Post Marks for sale or exchange. Correspondence solicited. W. E. Snyder, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. WANTED^^Set.s~of~Nori 17 37.~ 60, 112, 13.5, 137. 183. 186. 207, 213. 217. 230, 253, 261, 264, 276, 301. 305, 309. E. S. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Mass. EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two hundred pages, well Illus- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Oology. It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A hl8tx)ry of this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illus- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustra-tions showing proper cabinet arrangements; of specimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five on prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Birds and Prices adopted for the exchange of specimens of eggs of each. 11. Advertise- ments. Paper bound copies $1.00. Cloth bound copies $2.00. R. M. BARNES. LACON, ILLINOIS. SCOUT MUSEUm We have just started a Museum and would appreciate any curios or speci- mens you might have. Send list with price, postpaid. D. C. Bartlev, Scout Commissioner, Zillan, Wash. ALLIGATORS FOR SALE— Can" fur^ nish them from one foot long up to six feet. Have fresh skins ready for mount- ing; can send them alive, mounted, or skins. Ask for prices. Also Curios, skins and mounted specimens. Ramon Graham, 3722 Ave J, Ft. Worth. Texas. WANTED — By H. H Johnson. Pltts- fleld Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXIII, 5; Vol. XXIV, all;Journal Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI. 4; VII. 1; Nuttall Bulletin, all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornith. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV. 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37, 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North .\merica; Mc- Uwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. "W^A.NTED — Lepidopters from the West and South M^est, especially Splln- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay, 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Pblla, Pennsylvania^ WANTED — Prismatic Binoculars. C. S. Sharp, Escondido, Cal. Will give sets of 349 or part cash. How about It? THE 00L0GI8T THE » ♦ ■ WILSON BULLETIN A Biboliograph of scarce or out of A QUARTEl.LY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY print, North American Amateur and Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds in Middle ^^^^^ periodicals, devoted more or Nortli America, Now in its 28th year. less to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- 64 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. „ • mr x $1.50 per year, 40 cts. per copy. arate publications. Price 2b cents. Official Organ of y^g R. M. BARNES. WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Lacon, III. Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, . _^ 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon , Illinois. The OOlogist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. Ifo. 7. ALBION, N. Y,, July , 1923. Wholb Ko. 435 THE OOLOGIST BRIEir SPBCIAL A N^TOr VCKM HWTS Wanted. Exchange, For Sale, Mtc, irTras said as to the numbers of birds falling foul of those three shot guns, we are left to speculate: If the guns were in the hands of poor mraksmen, we glory in their Inability to kill; but if in the hands of expert shots, as we fear was the case, we may well shud- der at the possible destruction wrought those Lower California Quail. Every pair of Valley Quail killed by those guns, curtailed or checked future reproduction in an appalling measure! Let us suppose that the hunters were "gentlemanly" sportsmen, and only killed enough bird; to prevent ten to twenty broods that year. Just take a pencil and paper and calculate the possibilities of future prodgeny of these ten to twenty pairs, had they been left to reproduce their kind, allowing only one-half the eggs to hatch and come to maturity; and for the next ten years, deduct about twenty-five per cent for natural loss to the increasing broods, each year, and see what enormous numbers have been swept away by three shot guns in the space of a few short hours of self satisfaction! Any oologist v/ould have been ashamed to have gone among those Valley Quail, in the breeding sea- son, and carried away ten sets of eggs , although such robbery would not have checked reproduction In the lea t; for each piir of birds, thus robbed, would have set about to re- newed housekeeping duties. And now we will pass from the in- troduction to another feature of thi^ subject, but belore progressing be- yond the borders of that Lower Cali- fornia prairie, where three gunner; found it easy to fl ish "from one to fifty Valley Quail every three or fo'ir minutes," we will erect a substantial sign post, dedicated to the item re- ferred to on page 155 of the Novem- ber OOLOGIST, to stand for twenty years, and to ibear, upon its four sides, that all who kill may be warned, this legend: "IN THE LIFE OF THE BIRD, DOES ALL REPRODUCTION DEPEND" and "IN THE ABSOLUTE DEATH OF THE BIRD, ALL IS OVER FOR ALL TIME TO COME" Robbery of a nest of eggs may be committed, but without destroying the means of reproduction, or check- ing reproduction itself. This is a simple statement which will permit of no contrary argument! It is a law of Nature, absolute in its function and unalterably stolid and unrelent- ing in its workings today as when it was first chronicled for Man's bene- fit, nearly 3,500 years ago. Note the following: Deuteronomy. XXII Chapter, sixth and seventh verses: 120 TH£ OdLOOlftT 6, "If a bird's nest chance to be in tne way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones or eggs, ann the dam sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, thou slialt not take (he dam with the young (or eggs)." 7, "But thou Shalt in anywise let the dam go, and taiie the young (or eggs) to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou may pro- long thy days." Man was given "Dominion over the fowls of the air" for his benefit, but the law;-, of Nature were set in mo- tion first, the Scriptural passage, above, being merely a citation of that law, which, in itself, is a statement or declaration of the unalterable law of reproduction. The foregoing lines have been as- sembled because of the possible de- struction of certain flocks of I^ower California quail at the present time; but now let us consider the phan- tom shadows of the millions of Chim- ney Swift;, of which we are thinking, and can see the long, imaginary line passing over and beyond the horizon! I have this clipping from the "So- ciety Column" of the Richmond, Va., "Dispatch" of May 21st, 1902: "The Waynesboro Hunt Club had a novel shooting match on Monday evening of this week. The club has been holding shooting matches for several weeks, using the ordinary pigeons for targets. "On Sunday evening the observant captain of the Waynesboro Club, Captain William McCray, who be- longs to our Best Society (God save the Captain)* and who is ever on the alert to take advantage of any new scheme in the sporting line, noticed about two bushels of chimney swallows taking refuge in a neigh- bors' chimney, whereupon he sum- moned James Craig, and together they concocted a plan by which to take captive the unsuspecting deni- zens of the air. By means of a large sack spread over the top of the chim- ney, and the application of dense smoke at the bottom, about 400 swal- lows were incarcerated. "The originators of the plan were so jubilant over their catch that they communicated the news to several members of the Staunton Gun Club, whom they invited, and Mr. William McDaniel, S. P. Davis and John Fox- hall joined them Monday afternoon in a shooting match. The birds were liberated from a trap one at a time, and the sportsmen (?)* declared they have never before undergone such a test of marksmanship as they were put to by the frightened swal- lows. "Quite a number of spectators were present, including a number of ladies (?)* and neither the attraction of the polo game, going on at the time, nor the impending storm, could drive them from the scene of excite- ment (Sort of intoxicating degener- acy).* "The match lasted several hours, pnd William McDaniel of Staunton, took the lead, killing thirteen out of twenty-four birds, followed by Dr. T. S. Richardson, who killed twelve o; t of twenty-four. "A notable feature of the case is that the swallows that were so for- tunate as to escape made direct for the shelter of the chimney from v/hich they had been captured." (The correspondent does not say that this brutal practice was a^ain repeated, but no doubt, if the "Best Society" and influential citizens of Waynesboro so willed it to please the ladies, etc., there was another spasm of degenerate sport thrust up- on civilization!)* *ParenthQtic marks and remarks mine. Now, My dear Magoon, you and I have some Chimney Swifts' eggs in our collections; but in collecting these, we observed the law of repro- duction cited in the Scriptural pas- sage, previously noted. The Chimney Swift rears but one brood a year, and all the birds we robbed, did this im- mediately after being deprived of their first eggs which were secured for science. I find, in my collection, ten sets, totaling forty-two eggs of this bird, the collection of which covers a per- iod of forty years; and during that THE OOLOaidT 121 time no birds were killed, nor was reproduction checked one iota! I dare say that all the egg collec- tions in the world contain less than 5,000 eggs of the Chimney Swift, pos- sibly less than half that number; but get the lesson, now, from the slaugh- ter of possibly 100 of these Waynes- boro, Virginia, Chimney Swifts, on May 21st, 1902, and grant me the ad- ditional space in THE OOLOGIST to phow the appalling figures for all who read may know what happesn w;hen any number of birds are kiMed: 1902, Had these 100 swifts been spared, they would have raised three young to the pair (the Chimney Swift lays four or five eggs), 150 offspring totaling with the old birds, 250 indi- viduals. Allowing 25 per cent for natural loss by the next breeding season, 1903 would see 188 birds return, or 94 pairs to bring out 282 young, totaling with the old birds, 470 all told. Continuing the 25 per cent loss to old and young, would bring to 1904, 353 birds, 176 pairs to raise 529 birds, which with the old ones would total 881 individ- uals to lose 25 per cent of numbers in twelve months would bring to 1905, 661 birds or 330 pairs, to raise 990 young, or a grand total of 1715 to lose 25 per cent of num- bers and bring in 1906, 1313 birds, 656 pairs for rear- ing, if left to reproduce, 1968 young, tot,aling with the old birds, 3281 individuals to lose 25 per cent by their next re- turn would find in 1907, 2461 birds or 1230 pairs rear- ing 3690 young. Both old and young to lose the regulation 25 per cent of numbers on their return in 1908, 4,514 birds, or 2,228 pairs, raising 6,684 nestlings, all to lose 25 per cent of numbers would leave for 1909, 8,399 birds, pairing at 4,194, and rearing 12,582 young. All to lose the 25 per cent of num- bers on their return in 1910, 15,520 birds, 7,760 pairs, with at the end of the season, 23,280 young, t^otaling with the old ones, 38,800 birds, all to lose the 25 percentage of numbers, would bring North in 1911, 29,100 birds, 14,550 pairs with broods, at the end of season, numbering 43,650 nestlings, which with the old birds losing 25 per centage of numbers would find in 1912, 54,413 birds or 27,206 pairs to nest in the chimneys and bring out 81,618 young, all with the old ones to lose 25 per cent of flock, would leave for 1913, 102,024 birds, 51,012 pairs, feeding upon injurious insects infesting Viirginia, and bring- ing out broods numbering 153,- 036 young birds to be fed upon the same pests until all, with the old, leave for the South in September. After deduct- ing 25 per cent of their num- bers during this sojourn, they return to Virginia in 1914, 191,295 strong to wiage war upon the billions of mosquitoes and other pests, until the 95,- 647 pairs rear their 286,941 young for aiding Virginians in waging war upon crop pests. After which, if they escape from such maudlins as posed in "best society" item in the "Dispatch", they will lose 25 per cent of their numbers and return in 1915, a flock of 358,687 birds pairing at 179,343, and eventually rear- ing 581,029 young; all together with the old ones to lose 25 per cent of numbers before return- ing in 1916, 672.587 birds, or 336,293 pairs, rearing 998,879 offspring, with the stated loss for both young and old, of 25 per cent, in 1917, 1,253,601 birds in 626,880 pairs would crowd the chimneys of "Ole Virginia" for rearing 1,- 880,400 young; and woe unto the mosquitoes of the Great Dismal Swamp, if this could happen and the hordes of Chim- ney ;-^wallows, thus denied ex- istence, be turned loose in that quarter, in the next year, 122 THE 00L00I8T 1918, 2,350,501 ibirds or 1,175,250 pairs would have lacked chim- neys in the whole state of Vir- ginia for constructing nests for the 3,525,750 nestlings. 1919, 4,407,189 birds, 2,205,594 pairs would have been hunting nest- ing quarters for rearing 6,610,- 782 young, and being successful and allowing the regulation 25 per cent for loss would have found in 1920, 8,263,494 birds pairing at 4,- 131,747, and rearing 12,395,241 offspring, which with the same ratio of loss as carried through each year's calculations, in 1921, 15,494,052 birds, representing 7,847,026 pairs would return for rearing 23,241,045 young; all with the old ones to lose 25 per cent of numbers would see in 1922, 29,051,319 birds, or 14,525,659 pairs, raising 43,576,977 young birds, which added to the old ones, would total the enormous number of 72,628,295 birds to cleanse the air of thousands of times their numbers in insect pests, by the close of 1922! There are no imaginary or fancy (figures in this calculation, the whole being based upon proper mathe- matics, allowing less than 60 per cent of the eggs to hatch and a further cut of 25 per cent of natural loss each year, without interference from violent or unnatural causes. But Chimney Swifts are no more than holding their own, in the bal- ance of Nature, which means that one individual dies for every one that the old birds hatch. What is the cause of this loss? Oologists take no appreviative number of eggs, and this, too, with- out killing the birds! The number taken by the ornithologist and skin collector is insignificant compared with the millions hatched every year! In some manner one Swift loses its Life as another is being born. If that Life were prolonged, the numbers of Chimney Swifts would increase! Where does the fault lie? For a bird that lives entirely upon winged insects which come to destroy our trees, grass and crops, 72,628,296 birds is a mighty army of defence to be denied existence merely for the fun of deciding who is the champion shot of a Gun Club! Let us go to Waynesboro, Virginia, ard climbing to the top of that en- s^naring chimney, write upon its four sides, in ghastly letters, that the town's "best society" may understand, this legend: "In the absolute death of 100 Chim- ney Swifts, in 1902, the Fair State of Virginia denied existence to a prod- geny army of 72,628,296 insect de- stroyers of far more value to the Commonwealth than the heads of the men who planned to stay the progress of Natural Reproduction for a few hours of heartless sport!" J. Warren Jacobs. Waynesburg, Pa., Dec. 20, 1922. CAN SNAKES CHARM BIRDS? There is a popular opinion that serpents possess the ability of charm- ing and thus capturing their prey, to what extent they have this, has never been determined, and it is still an open question. For more than a full half century has the writer tried to determine the question for his own personal satis- faction. In all that time he has dili- gently kept his eyes open for a prac- tical example of this power, but has never but once, seen it manifested. This case was so convincing that a record of it is worthy of a place in bird lore. The summer months were in full swing — and the bird world was busy nesting. In a wide Mississippi bot- tom, lay a long stretch of wild pas- ture land, on this, the observer herd- ed a drove of dairy cows, he had lit- The 00L0GI6T 128 tie to do but round up the cows, oc- casionally and keep them from stray- ing. This gave him plenty of time, as he rode from point to point, to study nature in all its wild features, and as a multitude of birds made this meadow their homes there were some chances for observation of what they were doing. There chanced to come under his eye a pair of meadow birds, kind not determined, nesting in a bunch of Blue Stem grass. The nest was lightly perched about one yard above ground, in the slender cones of dead grass, containing a clutch of four eggs. Marking the location and surroundings, a return visit was made later, and an astounding inci- dent occurred. Now, poised slenderly on, and over the nest, was suspended the body of a long slender Blue Racer Snake. The mother bird was circling about the same, several yards distant, ut- tering pitifully cries of distress. The male bird did not enter into the scene at all, only to add his notes of dis- tress, as he flew from point to point, hardly in earshot distance. Riding to within a few yards of what seemed to be a coming tragedy at the nest, close observations were taken of what ensued. The serpent paid no attention to the eggs in the nest but centered his glittering eyes on the circling bird, her cries becoming louder and more plaintive as she circled nearer and nearer the snake's head. The latter lay perfectly quiet, not daring from his precarious perch to strike. His eyes glittered like two shining diam- onds, and his forked tongue shot out repeatedly as he watched and waited. Nearer and nearer drew the highly excited bird, and nearer and nearer the rider rode his mount — neither bird or serpent paid the least note of his near presence. The scene was highly exciting to all concerned, and its conclusion held a most fascinating interest. The bird seemed to have lost all power of self control and circled at last, with only inches twixt her and her doom. At last, perching on a slender stem, al- most in reach of the serpent's tongue, her wings hovering swiftly, her cries were still pitiful, she seemed to offer herself a willing sacrifice to the wait- ing enemy. The end seemed near, and to stop the tragedy the black snake — ^whip in the hand of the ob- server, swished strong to the air, come down on the body of the in- truder, instantly the scene ended. The bird flew away, and the snake dropped to the ground and disappear- ed in the carpet of dead grass below. Later ohservations developed the fact that neither bird or snake ever re- turned, as the nest was forsaken by both, whilst eggs and nest both went to the discard. Not since that day has ever come a chance to observe a further demon- stration of the power of the "Snake to charm Birds." W. H. H. Barker. Harvey, Iowa. THE BIRDS THAT COME AND GO Many students of bird life are well aware of the profound changes in faunal distribution that takes place from time to time, with no apparent reason or reasons. Prominent among these changes are the incursions of the Mocking Bird into New England, v.here, — the more curiosly, — it is not a summer habitat but a resident. As a boy I used to wade across a narrow inlet to a small island near my Wisconsin home, — and examine with great curiosity, the nests of the Bronzed Grackle that were snuggled 124 THE OOLOai«T into grapevine tangles, at head- height, beside the trunks of trees. And, just once, did my juvenile eyes fairly bulge out as I climbed an an- cient white oak, to a hollow, in which Grackles appeared to be nervously interested, to find there a succession of no less than four nests, one a'top another. Of re-incursions that are delighting my soul, these days, that of the Lapland Longspur is quite the most inspiring. For three years, and more, they have been totally absent. But, — a month, and more ago I heard just one bird, high in air, in a town fifteen miles from my home. And, on Christmas Day, as a friend was driving me home from the same town, in his sedan, we ran into a flock of two hundred. Fine enough, that, — for one Christmas Day! P. B. Peabody. KILLDEER IN NEW JERSEY At Richfield, N. J., one of the most regular breeders is the Killdeer. In 1920 a family of four were reared in the truck garden opposite my home, they being first observed on Septem- ber 1st when the parents and young were seen flying low over and run- ning about on the new plowed fields. In 1921 a family of three were reared and remained about the farm until the middle of October. I searched diligently for this nest but was de- feated in my endeavors and when the young appeared knew they must have been hatched there. In the spring of 1922, along a hedgerow about two hundred feet from a highly traveled highway, a nest was found with five eggs, one of which had just emerged from the shell. This is the largest set I have ever found. These five youngsters were successfully reared here and remained until Octo- ber 1st when they disappeared. I be- lieve the same parents nested here for the three years as the foot-prints of one of the adults in each year bore an abnormally shaped mid toe on the right foot. Louis S. Kohler. STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION, ETC., REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912, of The Oologist, published monthly at Albion, N. Y., for April 1, 1923. STATE OF ILLINOIS, County of Marshall — ss. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared R. Magoon Barnes, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the owner of The Oologist, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, manage- ment, etc., of the aforesaid publica- tion for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 443, Pos- tal Laws and Regulations. Publisher, Editor, Managing Editor, and Business Manager, R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. Not a corpor- ation. No stock has ever been issued. The Oologist is owned exclusively by R. Magoon Barnes. There are no bond holders, mort- gagers or other security holder, none have ever been issued. R. MAGODN BARNES. Sworn to and subscribed before n:e this 16th day of June, 1923. (Seal) FAY BALL. My commission expires Feb. 16 1027. THE OOLOGIST "NOT MERELY STUFFED," but per- fect in plumage and condition and ac- curately mounted specimens of the fol- lowing: Goshawk. Spruce Grouse, Prairie Chicken, Ruffed Grouse and Mountain Quail. Will exchange for sets. G. A. Abbott, Glasgow, Ky. FOR SALE — Natural History Books and Magazines, Antiques, Curios, Min- erals, Insects, Shells and other speci- mens from this locality, or will ex- change for Coins and Stamps. Ralph L. Wheeler. Canaan, N. H. FOR SALE — Two large upright cab- inets of .32 drawers eacli, one of ori- ental oak, and one of liard pine. Also my entire Natural History Collection of Tliousands of Specimens. A good rhance for a Museum. Address Dr. W. S. Strode. Laguna Beach, Califor- nia, Orange Co. FOR EXCHANGE^^I have f^)r e x^ cliange, for skins desired by me a number of Snowy Owl Skins, in all grades of plumage ranging from al- most pure wliite males to tlie darkest colored summer females. If you can use tlie"e send me your list of dupli- cates. R. M. Barnese. ~ EXCH.ANGE^^Nation'al Geographic Magazines for Bird Magazines, also will take sets. Send want list. J. Earl Harlow. Texico. Illinois. _ WANTED— By H. H. Johnson, Pitts- field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXIII, 5; Vol. XXIV, all; Journal Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI, 4; VII, 1; Nuttall Bulletin. all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornith. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37. 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Tlwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED — -Lepidopters from the West and South West, especially SpUn- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay, 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Pblla, Pennsylvania. WANTED — Prismatic Binoculara. C. S. Sharp. Escondido, Cal. Will grlve sets of ■'549 or part cash. How about It? EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two hundred pages, well lUns- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Oologv. It cpntain=; the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A hlptory of this Cata'ogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting rnd preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. lUua- tration^-. of pro-rr way to mark eggs. 8. Illustrations showing proper cabinet arrangrn-rntt; of srecimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five on pr'-'es. 10. N-^rpes both common and scientific of all North American Birds and Pr-cr? pfloptcd for the exchange cf specimens of eggs of each 11. AdvertlP'^ n". ents. Paper bound copies $1.00. (Moth bound copies $2.00. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. Will Exchange personally .aken Florida sets for books. Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. FOR SALE for Cash — Bulletin Coop- er Club Sz Condor. Volumes 1 to 6 in- clusive, complete, except No. 6, Vol. 1 Oologist, Vol. XI, (1894) complete; Vol. X (1893) complete, except April, July and November. W. B. Sampson, 1005 North San Joaquin St., Stockton, Cal. WANTED — To exchange bird and mammal skins for bird and fisli liooks. Richardson's Fauna Borealis. and Bent's Diving Birds especially desired. Walter Koelz. Department of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mic^liigan. FOR EXCHANGE — Rare Sets of Eggs such as Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Aleutian Tern. Long-bill Curlew. Loon. Welches Ptarmingan. Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden Eagle, and many others. WANT — Male and female skins of Richardson and Black Pigeon Hawks; Harris, Harlans, Zone-tailed, Short-tailed, and Red-bellied Hawks; Peals. Pergerine. and Aplomado Fal- cons; Mallard. Widgeon, and Ring-neck Ducks; Purple Sandpiper; Wandering Tattler; Buff-crested Sandpiper; Black Oystercatcher; Marbled Godwit; Velvet Scoter; Yellow-crowned Night Heron. K. B. Mathes, Batavia, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE — Sets from " New Zealand: Dove Petrel, Black Swan. Mutton Bird. Black Backed Gull, White Fronted Tern, Red Billed Gull, Gannet. Caspian Tern. From Australia: White Faced Storm Petrel, Sootv Tern, Silver Gull. Pelican, Coot, Little Blue Pen- quin. From Ireland: Moon Hen, Coot, I>ittle Grebe, Great Crested Grebe. Razor Bill, Puffin, Guillemont. All collected by self. To exchange for good sets, with proper data. L. L. Itedick. Newington. Connecticut. WANTED— Sets of No. 11. 37. 60, 112, 135. 137, 183, 186. 207, 213, 217, 230, 253, 261, 264, 276, 301, 305, 309. E. S. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Mass. THE OOLOdlSt THE « ♦ « WILSON BULLETIN A Biboliograph of scarce or out of A QUARTEr.LY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY print, North American Amateur and Pn.viuK particular attention to Fleirt Studies of Birds In Middle ^^^^^ periodicals, devoted more or North America. Now in Its 28th year. 64 pages or more of readable matter 'ess to Ornithology. Listing 147 Sep- with Illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. $1.60 per year, 40 cts. per copy. arate publications. Price 25 cents. OlTlclal Organ of j^£ R. M. BARNES. WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Lacon, III. Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, . ^_ 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. The Oologist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDBRMY Vol. XL. No. 8. ALBION, N. T,, Aug. , 1828. Whole No. 43(5 THE OOLOGIST BRIBF SPECIAL AN>Ol \rKMHFIT9 Wanted. Exchange. For Sale, Ktc. in?ertcii In this department at IS (Xtnts for each 25 words for one Issue; p;>eh addition,! 1 word 1 cent. No notloe In- serted for less than 26 cents. "We will advertise the skins, nests, egg ican Birds for sale for persons having .-i iun, N. v., and Lacon, 111. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oolocrist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expires with this issua Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903. at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. AGAIN LATE With this issue we are able to catch up a.q:ain with the reg^ular publication scale of "The Oologist." which was interrupted by our siege of ill health. Tt is to be hoped that we will be able to keep up with this sched- ule, but of course that depends largely on the physi- cal condition of the editor, which even yet is not of the best.— R. M. B. 126 THE OOLOGIST FURTHER NOTES ON THE NEST- ING OF THE GREAT GRAY OWL Since writing my experiences with the Great Gray Owl In 1913, which appeared in January 15, 1915, number of THE OOLOGIST, I have seen little printed concerning this hird. Since that time I have found five nests of the owl and perhaps an account of them may be of interest. In 1914, I made a very diligent search for a nest of the Great Gray Owl, exploring every likely piece of timber for several miles around Bel- vedere, but without success. I saw a couple of birds but was unable to find a nest and almost came to the conclusion that their nesting here in 1913 had been accidental and might not occur again. I think one reason for my failure was the fact that a useless homesteader had located in my best hunting ground and amused himself by killing every owl and hawk he could and tacking them to the side of his shack. Next year I resumed the search, the homesteader had departed and prospects looked better as on a tramp through the woods on March 15th I saw three Great Grays. The first was sitting on a tree in a small Muskey, and a mile or so farther on I saw two more sitting in poplars, in an open field. The Great Gray Owl is not at all a wary bird and always permits a close approach. All that saves him from extermination in the settled districts is the fact that he is seldom seen away from the heavy timber which is his home. In this case as I was looking through my glass at one of the birds about four hundred yards r^way it started to fly toward me. It oame sailing along about two feet from the ground and finally lit on a fence post in front of me which I found after- wards to be just eleven paces dis- tant. It stayed there, staring at me for about a minute and then flew to a small dead snag, and from there to the ground and then to a small stump about two feet high. The other perched in the top of a poplar about fifty yards away and both remained there as I walked on home. On the 19th while passing through a heavy piece of poplar timber I found five old hawks' nests, none of them appeared to be occupied but on my return that way just before dark, I happened to pass close to one of them and saw a Great Gray Owl fly towards it and light on a limb beside it. I then saw that there was another Owl sitting in the nest. They were evidently about to start house- keeping and made a deep booming sound and the one on the limb a kind of a whistle. After about a Iminute the one on the nest flew away and its mate followed. I was elated and certain I had at last found another nest of the Great Gray Owl, but as will be seen later I was mis- taken as regards that particular nest. The Owls had not yet decided which nest they would use. They were merely househunting. On April 9th, I found a Great Gray Owl sitting on a nest about two miles away from where I had seen the pair on March 19th. The nest had been occupied the previous year by a broad-winged Hawk. It was in open Poplar woods about thirty feet up in the upright forks of a Balsam Poplar and contained three eggs. There was no nesting material added by the Owls except a few feathers from the breast of the sitting bird. Passing on to the nest I had seen the Owls at on March 19th I found it unoccupied but found a Great Gray Owl sitting on another of the five old hawk's nests I had discovered that day about three hundred yards from where I had seen the Owls first. I THE OOLOGIST 127 afterwards took a nice set of Gos- hawks from one of these nests so that afternoon tramp was well re- warded. April 11th I retaurned and took a set of two Great Gray Owl's eggs. The bird remained in the vicinity while I was climbing the tree and packing the eggs, and then re- turned to the nest and resumed set- ting. The only note uttered was a whis- tle oo-ich of the Great Horned Owl. The nest was in an aspen poplar, about forty-five feet up. There was no lining material but a few feathers from the breast of the sitting bird. On April 22nd I discovered a Great Gray Owl sitting on a nest from which I had taken a set of Goshawks in 1913 and a set of Great Horned Owls from in 1914. The bird would not leave the nest until I rapped the tree repeatedly and remained in the vicinity while I climbed the tree and took a set of three eggs. It hooted twice a deep booming whoo-oo al- together different to the Horned Owl. When I left it returned and resumed setting. This nest also was in heavy poplar woods in an aspen poplar. It was about fifty feet up and no nest- ing material had been added but a few feathers as usual. On May 15th I took another set of two eggs, from a small nest of sticks which had been used by a Broad- wing the year previous and in this case also no nesting material but a few feathers had been added by the Owls. The nest was about forty feet up in an aspen poplar. This finished my nesting experi- ences with the Great Gray Owl, un- til 1922. In 1916-1917 and 18 I was in the Peace River Country, and al- though old Hawks' nest were very numerous in some localities, and I saw a few Great Gray Owls I found no nests occupied except in the case of a few Red-tailed Hawks, and one Goshawk. No doubt this was due to the scarcity of rabbits. In a year of rabbit abundance there would be an influx of birds of prey and many of these nests would be occupied. On April SOth, 1922, I climbed to a Great Gray Owl's nest near where I took the last one in 1915. It con- tained two eggs which I left. One Owl was sitting and I saw the other close by. On April 30th, I returned and took a set of three eggs. The nest was about forty feet up in the crotch of a Balsam Poplar and un- like the other nests had been newly built up with twigs, by the Owls. It was lined with back strips and a few feathers and well cupped. The bird remained in the vicinity and its mate could be heard at a distance in the timber. A rather musical whistle was uttered frequently like oo-ih, sometimes very softly, and at others quite loudly. They also hooted sev- eral times, a deep booming Who-oo- 00-00. In Fisher's "Hawks and Owls of the United States," it is stated "The note of the owl is said to be a tre- mulous vibrating sound somewhat re- sem^bling that of the Screech Owl." I must plead ignorance to the note of the Screech Owl, but I have ob- served many Great Gray,, Owls both in the breeding season and out of it and have never heard this "tremulous vibrating whistle." A. D. Henderson, Belvedere, Alberta, Canada 128 THE dOL06lSt Richard C. Harlow (left) and A. D. Henderson (right) as they appeared at Belvidere, Canada, in the spring of 1923 THE OOLOGIST V2'i) MY FIRST EGG COLLECTING I have been a subscriber to THE OOLOGIST for several years and have enjoyed reading the storie--, by the various Ornithologists and Oolo- gi£ts over the Country, about their experience collecting eggs and speci- mens. I have never caught the egg col- lecting craze, bi:t have amassed a nice collection of mounted birds v.hich is now in the State Museum at Charleston, West Virginia. Most of my collecting was done several years ago, as I have changed my occupation and my present one does not permit me to spend as much time as I would like to at my hobby. As I have stated a^bove I have never had the "Egg Craze," but will tell of a couple of experiences I have had collecting Hav/k eggs, soon after I first began collecting. One day in May 1913, my brother and I thought that we would go to the creek, about a mile away from home, to snare "White Suckers" as a few days before we had seen sev- eral nice schools in this Stream, and arriving at the creek we found that the wind was blowing, and that the water was rough for good fishing, so we gave up the idea of fishing and decided that we would hunt for Crow's nests in a strip of wooded land that lay close by the creek. In this woods the crows nested every year and we were desiring a young crow for a pet. While strol- ling through the woods, we saw sev- eral nests, but all were uninhabited. Finally we came to a Pine Oak tree, which had what looked like an old squirrel nest in the forks about thirty feet from the ground, on get- ting to the tree a Hawk flew from the nest. My brother climbed the tree and found the nest contained two eggs, but having no way to get them down and not knowing what kind of Hawk ogcs they were, we left them in the nest and returned home. When we got home we took a couple of small hen's eggs and water color paint and colored the hens eggs as near like the hawk eggs as possible. Next we prepared to go back to the ne.st, taking a small bucket filled ' i',h cotton to carry the eggs, a small .• teel trap and a shotgun. On arriv- ing at the nest the old bird on, who promptly flew, we took a couple of 'hots at her but missed. /.fter clim'bing the tree again we trol". OT^t the hawk's eggs and put in the camoi'flaged hen's eggs, and set the steel trap in the nest and tied the chain to a limb. As it was get- ting late v:e did not visit the nest again that day. The next morning my brother re- r^rned to the nest and found the c'.d Havr-k caught in the trap, which ve identified as a female Broad Win<^ v.hich I mounted and is now in my collection. .\ few days after this we were in this same woods and found a large ret in a white pine which proved to be a Sharp Shinned Hawk nest, containing a set of fine eggs, like hen's eggs, in this instance being two large eggs. We took plaster pari.- and made a set of artificial eggs coloring them with water corors as near as possible like the real ones. We took out the hawk eggs and put the artificial ones and set a small steel trap as in the first instance. The old bird was not so easily caught as the first one, as she man- aged to push the trap out of the nest several times, but finally got caught by the neck. This hawk is also mounted and is now in ray collection. This was some of my very first collecting and as I had never seen a 130 THE OOLOdlST set of eggs properly prepared, I spoiled both of these sets. I took a pen knife and drilled a ragged hole in each one large enough to take out a heavily incubated embryo. These sets are spoiled so far as Commercial Value is concerned, but I will keep them as a memento of my first egg collecting. Ligon Price, Marlinton, West Virginia. Pocahontas County. BRIEF NOTES ON THE BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHER Undoubtedly my desire to further my studies of the Blue-grey Gnat- catcher, originated in an adventure I had some years ago. At this time I iwas specializing in Bird photogra- phy. The back-waters or "houys" of the river, with their numerous Is- lands, of stunted trees and sedge grass, afforded a veritable paradise to the Ornithologist. The river was high, at this particu- lar time, and covered the Islands to a depth of about four feet. I was at- tempting to obtain a series of pic- tures of the Red-start, when I by chance, discovered the Gnatcatcher's nest. This was a rare treat for me and I determined to obtain the set of eggs, which I supposed were in it. The nest was located far out on a willow limb. I climbed as far out as I dared and was cutting the limb, in- tending to secure the set by this method. I fear there was a smile of fond anticipation on my face as I con- templated the beautiful set that would eventually grace my cabinet, when a "crack" and ere I were aware of it, I was under water! Un- daunted, however, I made for the nest, peacefully floating on the water, only to find four youngsters blink- ing surprised like in it. Through later years I have become intimately acquainted with this spe- cies. My records of migration show that this bird returns on the 27th of April, as an average. This dainty twitter can be heard frequently as they search diligently among the new leaves of birch and willow for un- fortunate insects. I find that the pair hunt together and I am inclined to believe they spend a part of their honeymoon in selecting a nesting sight. About a week after their arrival, they start nest building. Willows are invariably chosen as the tree in which to place their charming nest. The "cotton" from the willow cat- kins are obtained first, and are used in this locality for the greater part of the nest. These hirds are diligent workers and the house is soon paint- ed and lined with spider webs. But the most renowned artists of the world cannot camoufiage quite like this bird. The bits of lichens used in "painting" the nest, continue to re- tain their color, due to the moist sit- uation. The nest is the best imita- tion of a knot that I have ever seen. The pretty little eggs are a treat to both oologist and photogra^pher. But the nests are indeed difficult to find, and it takes a pretty good pair of eyes to locate them, unless they are found during the period the nests are in construction. Then one may easily find two dozen nests in a day. Undoubtedly, most amateur oologists possess one or more sets of this spe- cies, acquired through exchange, but by far the greater pleasure is lost, unless the set recalls scenes of stag- nant water; water moccasins dosing on rotten logs; turtles sunning them- selves; frogs croaking hoarsely; dragon flies darting hither and THE OOLOQIST 131 thither; and the inevitable ringing notes of the prothonatory warbler, which one generally finds in these lo- calities. In spite of much reclaimed bottom land, the old Mississippi still offers a happy hunting ground for the oolo- gist. Theodore R. Greer, Aledo, Illinois. A FEW BIRD PROBLEMS. A cold, late spring caused our birds much trouble. The Robin appeared March 12th and Bluebirds soon after. Song-sparrow and Meadow Larks came about March 28th. At this time it was very cold, the ground frozen hard and some fine snow. On April 11th it snowed, and on the 13th a Robin was discovered building a nest in a locust tree close by the house. They began by carrying four white hen's feathers, six inches long, and were trying to twine them together into a nest, but they were stiff and wiould not lay in right. After much trying, they cast them out spitefully and they fluttered to the ground. The next day was Sunday, cold and windy and the Robins rested from their labors; but on the 15th, the very next morning they began with those same feathers again, and re- peated the attempts and then throw- ing them out; trying some twigs and rootlets also, they at last succeeded in keeping them in the crotch of the tree. We concluded that it was a very hard task for a Robin to build with- out mud, and that the lack of it was a serious matter. The rain they needed did not come until on the 20th, then the nest was completed. On April 25th I visited a swamp, where I had been told birds came early. It was sunny, with a bleak wind, and we suffered with the cold. Trees were bare and leafless, herbage scarcely started, and nothing very in- viting for early comers. "We saw a few male Redwinged Blackbirds, Meadow Larks, Robins, a pair of wild Duck and one lone Bluebird. By the 28th the Robins seemed to have began in a serious way to occupy their home, and we thought that there must be blue eggs up there. Anyway there was a crow that came early at 5:30 in the morning to investigate. The Robins had just passed by into the garden, when through my bed-room window I ?aw the thief descend, and perch near the nest. My appearance at the window and the lifting of the white curtains seemed to firghten him, and as he flew away another •crow joined him. And the Robin life went on happily again. Other birds arrived, the Purple Finches, Gold Finches, Chipping Sparrows, Baltimore Orioles, Red- eyed Vireos, Maryland Yellow-throats, and a Hummingbird, the latter seek- ing food in the bell bed, where not a single blossom was yet out, finally at evening was seen in the cherry tree where blooms were first appear- ing. On May 8th a thundershower came, and then a drop in temperature, with snow on the 9th until roofs were white. The Robins, much surprised, but faithful sat tight all covered with snow under the leaflets twigs of the locust all through those snowy hours. More snow fell the next day. In spite of all set-backs, the Robins hatched and grew, leaving the nest. May 21st. Leda W. Chace, Lawrenceville, Penna. Tioga County. THE OOLOGIST ALFRED COOKMAN Alfred Cookman, one of California's well known Ornithologists is now President of the Los Angeles Cali- fornia Nature Club, having something over three hundred members, and we are sure that THE OOLOGIST fam- ily will be glad to hear something concerning the field trips which this organization enjoys. The following is the first of a number of promised communications on this subject. — R. M. B. A Day Among the Oaks Near Mt. El Capitan, San Diego, County, Cal. There is one tree that stands out magestic, magnificent and alone — the live oak (Quercus agrifolia) of the foot-hills of California. I have camped beneath its branches in a canyon retreat and climbed out on the huge limbs to the nest of a jay, wren or woodpecker. I have classified sev- eral insect pests infecting the branches and bark such as the Cali- fornia Oak Moth, Cockerell's Kermes, Gall-like Kermes, Nautical borer and the oak ericoccus. Leaving San Diego in an automo- bile for the River Bottom at the base of Mt. El Capitan for the purpose of studying the bird-life in this terri- tory, Professor Valentine and I spent several hours among thousands of oaks, sycamores, poplar trees and willows in the very heart of birdland 10 miles north of the city of San Diego, 1922. We first directed our course to the willows and parked the car. For two hours, we rambled in and out among these small trees close to the water's edge and observed willow gold- finches, California jays, crows, red- wing black birds, Traill's flycatchers, western black phoebes, brewer black birds, Killdeer, and the San Diego towhee. We came out into an opening at the base of Mt. El Capitan and discov ered that a hundred yards to the left were oaks and sycamores in count- less numbers. The cry of the Cali- fornia jay and a shrill call of the Sparrow hawk and the 'beating and tapping of the woodpecker lured us on in that direction. Hundreds of Cedar waxwings were recorded and several turkey vultures were there. A dead horse had at- tracted the vultures and they had gathered for the feast. I always en- joy watching vultures feed. They are truly "self-appointed Boards of Health" — industrious scavangers and monarchs of the air. They are sure of themselves in any kind of weather. They nest among the crags and cliffs in the San Diego mountains. The writer shot a Ferruginous rough-legged hawk. It was a mon- ster male bird. Length 23.56, wing 16.70, tail 10 in. The "squirrel hawk" is pre-eminently a bird of the prairie. The bird is wholly beneficial and is one of California's most valuable species. The squirrel proiblem is one of the state's most serious problems. California loses approximately $10,- 000,000 worth of grain and vegetable crops annually due to ground squir- rels. Wild pigeons were darting here and there as we approached the oak tree area. These birds are very wild. They come up from Mexico during their annual migration and linger awhile in San Diego County. They prefer the oak tree sections of the county. The mourning dove, the San Diego towhee, the Gambels Sparrow, the California woodpecker and house finch were present in the oaks. Wild flowers were everywhere. Wild barley and sage and cactus plants are characteristic growths. The road-runner, the meadowlark TH6 OOLOGIST 133 and the cactus Avren were recorded on this trip. We circled in and out among the huge trees and wandered here and there among huge granite rocks, up steep inclines and down into ravines. At last, we came under the shadow of Mt. El Capitan towering like a mighty sentinel. Her dome penetrat- ing the cumulus clouds in a field of blue sky. We sat down under a spreading oak, and opened our lunch. We were alone with the birds and the I'owers. The afternoon was devoted to bird- j^iudy and when the shadows of night began to creep over the hills and the .sun vanished, and the air changed to H cool breeze, we left the oaks and cycamores and hurried to the car and in a few hours reached San Diego, having enjoyed a day long to be re- membered. Tlhirty-eig'ht species of birds were seen and several were taken for scientific purposes and added to my collection. Alfred Cookman, Los Angeles, Cal. NOTEBOOK NOTES Do Blue Grosbeaks build several nests, and, like the Long-billed Marsh Wren, use them as a blind? In one field of about twenty acres I found nine of their nests, though none con- tained eggs or young; these nests were apparently fresh and none had any body scales in them, thus proving that they had not been used. Two or three pairs of Blue Grosbeaks were in the field flying about as if displeased at my intrusion. A Yellow-b'-easted Chat, that lived near this field had learned to crow like a Bantam rooster, and was im- mensely proud of his accomplish- ment. First he gave three plain whis- tles as if to call attention, then, after a pause, he gave his crow, a little crude perhaps, but unmistakable; as if satisfied with himself he always ended with several "chuckles." Another Chat that I noticed cawed like a crow; this formed much of his fOiig, and was used on every possible occasion. A habit that many Chats have is that of singing while on the wing. The bird seems to choose two "bases," and flies back and forth between them; this performance usually being very ludicrous as the whole body seems to be kept in motion. I have never observed any night .-ringing on the part of Chats here. While pumping water at my home one morning, a Goldfinch circled around me several times, and finally hung in the air above me and sang one of the sweetest thrills or songs I have ever heard one sing; it some- what resembled the song of the Lark Spai'row. Another peculiar incidence was connected with a pair of Blue-headed Vireos that were searching for lich- ens on the limb of a tree; from there they flew to another tree upon an outer limb of which was a lichen- covered nest that I supposed was their own as they were coming and going as if they were building on it. Close observation, however, disclosed the fact that the nest once belonged to a Wood Pewee, and that they were tearing it down for material with which to build one of their own. In three days the nest was entirely re- moved. J. G. Lewis, Bentonville, Arkansas. m THE OOLOGIST THE FOOD OF YOUNG HAWKS We hear and read a good deal about the stealth and cunning of the Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks. We are told it is they who do all the chicken stealing and bird kill- ing that we thought the larger hawks responsible for. I have set out to find out for myself. I have had under observation for this spring and summer, a pair of red- tails, a pair of Cooper's hawks and a pair of sharp-shinned hawks. I maintained a close watch upon the first and the last named, to see just what they fed their young and learn much other things about them as I might. The Cooper's hawks nest was too far away and too hard to reach after one arrived at the site, to make very many trips out to see it, hence I have not completed data for this nest. Before the eggs of the red-tails hatched, the parents fed on rodents — mostly the striped ground squirrels (Spermophile). After the young got out of the shells, the whole bill of fare was young chicken. At differ- ent times we found chickens to the number of seven. There were times w"hen we could not go to the nest for a week or two, and it maybe there was other food fed to the young dur- ing that time. On May 13th, this year, I found a nest of the sharp-shinned hawk, and made seven trips to see it during the time between then and the 8th of July. I expected to find all man- ner of birds were being fed to the young. I even had hopes of taking some of the freshly killed birds to mount for my collection. I am glad to say, that I found no evidence of a single bird killed. Locusts, large beetles and cicadas, with a mouse or two for desert, was the main type of food. Of course these are only two instances, hut, if we were to judge, we would reverse the reputa- tion of these two birds somewhat, we think. Ralph J. Donahue, Bonner Springs, Kans. BOB WHITE'S QUANDRY Few permanent residents, save the Goldfinch and Cedar bird, postpone their nesting like our Quails, many of which are not incubating at this advanced date, July 1st. Cold, damp weather, typical for spring climate in Kentucky, would be fatal to many Quail chicks, which escaped this fate because their hatching occurs 60 days later in mid summer. Reports obtained in the last fort- night from a score of Barren County farmers, discloses the average loss of one quail's setting to every ten acres of grass timothy and clover mowed. This county had several thousand acres of hay, and nine out of every ten nests were deserted while con- taining six to eighteen eggs a piece. Most sets are not exposed until the hay has been raked. Where wheels of the farm machinery passed over the nest, destruction of the eggs was complete. In many instances the mower had cut the growth without harming the contents of the nest; nevertheless abandonment had taken place. Meadowlarks' domiciles simi- larly exposed were rarely forsaken unless destroyed. Bob Whites, despite their abund- ance here, and decided preference for settled areas and cultivated fields, do not appear to lose any of their sensitive traits. Today I saw seven fresh eggs on a grassy hillside, and although I refrained from touch- ing the nest, if the little hen goes elsewhere to deposit the rest of her product, it will not surprise me. Gerald Alan Abbott. Glasgow, Ky. THE OOLOQIST 135 THE NESTING OF A GREAT HORNED OWL To one who is thrilled at finding such common birds' nests as the chewink or red-winged blackbird, the finding of a great horned owl's nest is indeed of mighty importance. The ne^t I am to write about was of the first of this species of owl I ever had the pleasure to examine or make notes on. A neighbor of mine found the nest- ing site by accident, while looking for "good coon trees." This was on January 19th, 1923; and at that time there were but two eggs in the nest cavity. He reported the find and the location to me. The Sunday follow- ing or on January 21, my brother, Clyde, and I went out and found the nesting tree easily. A large sycamore stands about two hundred feet to the north of the Kaw Valley Electric Line in the Little Kaw valley, west of Mahon station in Levenworth County. This tree leans sharply towards the river and was likely bent into its present position by floods during its earlier years. Thirty feet from the ground — al- though much farther from the tree's base, occasioned by the angle at which the tree leaned — is a large cavity, twenty inches across and three feet deep. At one time the top of the tree must have broken off and, while the inner wood decayed, the outer wood grew up around it. On this first Sunday, Clyde was almost up to the nest before the old owl flew off. I had my camera set awaiting the owl's exit, and was re- warded by a fairly good picture. The male soon came sliding through the woods from up the draw, and joined its mate in protestinations in the form of beak clickings and deep "Whooo-Hoooos" from trees around about. Three large white eggs were in the nest this day. We waited twenty-eight days to go out to the nest again. That was on February 17th. One young owlet was hatched, one egg pipped and the other egg in no way changed exter- nally. The young chick v.-as some- what larger than a newly hatchel chicken, and covered by patche:; of yellowish w'hite down. The day was a cold and ' raw one, ro we wera at the ne:"t no longer than we needed to be. On the 25th of February the third trip vras made to the ne".t. All three owls were hatched and grown some- what larger than the one we saw on the 17th. Several parts of rabbits were in the nest cavity, also a fresh- ly killed Bobwhite. I leaned over in- to the nest hole to examine the young more thoroughly, and while in this position I heard my brother call out, but not in time to prevent the parent owl from giving me a sharp blow over my right kidney as she flew by. I also felt a slight burning and found, when I reached the ground, that the owl's claws had found my flesh through my underclothes, my blue shirt, a painter's canvas jacket, my old coat and that portion of my overalls that reached up that far. I shiver to think what the result would have been had I been Adam or even Tarzan of the Apes. The parent owls finally left the part of the valley where their nest was located, before we were through pho- tographing and making notes, only to run into a flock of crows. In the space of a half hour, fully five hun- dred crows were swirling about the trees wihere the owls had t^ken re- fuge. An enormous flock of these black marauders, flying high over head, swung once around on hearing the clamor from below, but did not 136 THE 00L0QI8T descend to take part as I had expect- ed. Their northward journey was re- sumed and the owls were apparent- ly forgotten. Our fourth visit was delayed on ac- count of the muddy roads and bad weather until March 25th. My, these young owls had grown. Their bodies were covered with downy feathers, a little lighter in color than the par- ent birds. The wings and tail edges were edged with good sized pin- feathers. The old owl slid away be- fore we got to the tree and, because the young could take care of them- selves, was seen no more that day. March 31st marked our fifth trip. At this time the young owls were nearly as large as the old ones. The bottom of the nest cavity was cov- ered with the ejected pellets cast up by the owls; the w^hole thing becom- ing a very "smelly affair." Old birds not seen. A portion of a rabbit was in the cavity, also feathers that indi- cated a flicker had been killed. Our last trip was made on April 7th. Only one young owl left in the nest at this time; others may have flown. Three freshly cleaned skulls of rabbits in nest. We did not go again for the trip was not a short one and there were other nests to watch. This is the history of these young owls' beginning in this world. This Ftudy of the nesting of these birds reveals the fact that, in this instance at least, though there was a chicken ♦arm within a half mile from the nesting site, poultry formed not a single part of the food fed to the > oung. As far as I was able to find out and discover, with the exceptions of the bobwhite and the flicker al- lea.ly spoken of, the food of the great horned owl consists wholly of cotton- tail rabbits. Ralph J. Donahue, Bonner Springs, Kansas. TRAPPING THE FEATHERED MARAUDERS OF THE FIELDS Farmers whose crops have suffer- ed unusually from the depredations of the crow might take courage hy the reports of the methods pursued in the agricultural regions of France to get rid of this well-nigh universal pest. Every farmer knows that the favorite delight of the crow is to tear up and devour the sprouting corn, and that the crow is not particular- ly an easy bird to shoot, being gun shy and seeming to know by soime peculiar power of observation or in- tuition when a man is armed. How the French meet the situa- tion in a variety of ways, chief of which are decoys and traps, is told in the Illustrated World by George E. Liscomb. "The first method," says Liscomb, "consists in making use of the crow's nocturnal foe, the owl. The owl is particularly hated by the crow and when the hapless creature has lost its way and is partly blinded by the light of day, it flies helplessly about and is pretty certain to be set upon by a flock of angry crows. "Taking advantage of this natural hatred, the French peasant builds an ambush in the fields and on a perch near by ties either a live owl or a stuffed one. If the stuffed variety is used, the farmer, concealed in am- bush, simulates life in the decoy by jerking a cord attached to its limbs. When the black host arrive to worry their hereditary foe a liberal broad- .^ide from a double-barreled gun will rid the country of quite a number. "Those farmers who prefer traps to shotguns make use of paper cones. These are first lined on the inside with birdlime. This may be produced by boiling the bark of the holly, from which is thereby obtained a sticky detaining substance. In lieu THE 00L0GI8T 187 of that, birdlime can be secured by boiling linseed oil for a long period of time. "When ready the cones smeared with birdlime, are set in the ground. As a bait, meat, grain or nuts are employed. The unsuspecting crow in attempting to get the food pushes its head into the cone and, thus caught, immediately rises — imprison- ed and blindfolded by the cone — in the air, almost straight upward, to a great height. It soon exhausts it- self, however, and falls to the earth, where it may be captured or killed with ease. "Other varieties of traps are also used. The crow does not seem to be a wise bird in all matters, for in the nesting season the female may be induced to alight upon a nest full of eggs that are not her own. Taking advantage of this fact, the farmer makes use of a spring trap. The trap may be baited with a dead rabbit or bird. It is declared that if the human .^cent is detected the trap will prove a failure. Strongly scented herbs should therefore be drawn across the trap and a pair of tongs used to set it and place it in position. To thor- oughly complete the deception the French camouflage the traps by cov- ering them with a coat of green paint." — San Francisco Chronicle. W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. Birds Like Old Homes Birds have in common with man the "housing instinct," albtough of course in man the instinct is not so highly developed. Just how Mr. and Mrs. Bird, on their return to the North from their winter in the South find their old nests each spring is not known. Their ability to locate the "old home" is simply a part of their homing instinct. Without chart or compass to point the way, the birds fly unerringly to their old haunts each spring. — Local Democrat. Geo. W. H. vos Burgh. The following I read In the Prairie Farmer, and consider it so good that I am copying it in part. The Piasa Bird, an Indian Legend M. S. Rowe Now you may know all about the Piasa bird, or it may not mean much to you, or even be interesting, but I am sure that each one of you has at some time or other, had a strange word suddenly grip you — possess you day and night until you must know all about it. That is what the Piasa did to me! If it could exert such a spell now, I vividly belieA'e that it would have carried me off, had I been so foolhardy as to have lived his day. About 20 miles above Alton, on the the Alton Way, which most of you automobile people know, is the dreamy town of Piasa, set down among the rich surrounding fields of Macoupin County. Here it rests on Piasa Creek, which ambles on and flows into the Mississippi. Going along the Alton way at this place we can look to the Wes't and see the forest — a blue streak — on the Mis- souri side, but cannot discern the river. Now, near this little dot of a town, is a huge advertising sign board representing a book, and as we dashed by I saw, "Piasa Bird," and "page of history." When I was a mile beyond I wished that we had .stopped and read it. Probably that would have saved me this burning de- sire to know all about it. That the word was of Indian origin, I felt as- sured, but could find no one that seemed to know anything about it. One ventured to remark that he "be- lieved that he had read something in history about it — 'but did not know what it "W'las any more." 138 THE OOLOGIST This is the advantage of hunting up history. When a bird flaps its wings at you, as the Piasa did at me, you will never forget anything about it. You will know your page of his- tory— not only for today's recitation — but also all your life. So I chased this strange elusive bird to the only hiding place it now possesses, the Indian Mythology of North America. The Indians had many legends sim- ilar to this, that describes the power of some fearful bird. So while the fancy is too wild and strange for any white man to believe literally, it would seem possible, if not prob- able, that there might have been a great and frightened bird, back in the time of the Mastodon, and Bisons, different and bigger and more fero- cious than anything that history knows. The Indian legend relates that this monstrous bird, as large as a calf, carried off the red men and devoured them. They were powerless against it. So, at last, a big Chief, Onatoga, prayed the "G-reat Spirit" to help him save his people from this frightful thing. In a dream he was directed to select 20 of the bravest of his brave, and letting one offer himself on a lonely cliff to the bird, the others were to stand ready with drawn bows and arrows. It was considered a hopeless affair, so fearful were the Indians of this bird. But the "Great Spirit" had di- rected and Onatogo was a brave chief; so he chose to be the one on the cliff. The legend goes on to tell how he stood watching the bird cir- cle toward him, and just as it was about to lift him from the ground 20 arrows pierced its body, and it fell dead before him. In commemoration of this great event the Piasa bird was painted on the rocks, off to the west, from the little town of Piasa, where Piasa Creek flows into the great river. This tradition runs through all the tribes of the upper Mississippi. This painting was 80 feet high or more on the Cliff and it as depicted with horns on its head like a deer, red eyes, beard like a tiger, face somewhat like a man's body covered with scales, and a tail so long that it was wrap- ped twice around its body. This ob- ject of terror was painted so high, andand so vivid in red and green and black, that in the strong sunlight, sharp Indian eyes, trained to long distances, could use it for miles. So we know why it was not strange, when Jesuit Jacques Mar- quette, come sailing up the Mississip- pi, with his little hand of Indian guides from the south one beautiful June morning in 1673, that they were frightened, at such a sight; never having been so far up the river, and not knowing the legend, they mistook the picture for reality. They refused to go on and Marquette's first voy- age was a failure. ***** How the Indians managed to paint this picture so well upon the sheer face of the cliff is conjecture like so many other pages in history, it shows that when people want to do a thing badly enough there is a way. All the early accounts state that it was painted in a better manner than the Indians were capable of, and in such lasting dye that it withstood the weather and the continual firing of the Indians until 1848. All these years to the present day, it has been the custom for the Indians, to fire at it in passing. History relates that a Dr. Russell went up the Mississippi in 1836, and near this spot discovered a cave where the bird was supposed to carry its prey. He states that he excavated and found human bones to the depth of three or four feet. That is all there THE OOLOQI8T 139 is to the Piasa bird. a myth, if you will I An Indian fancy, Relation of Summer Birds to Western Adirondack Forest By Perley M. Silloway the BOOKS RECEIVED Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution 1921. — This publication contains the following paper, which will be of interest to Orni- thologists. "Some preliminaray re- marks on the velocity of migratory flight among birds with special refer- ence to Palaeartic Region," by R. Meinertzhazgen. — R. M. B. The Murreiet No. 2, Vol. IV, May 19, 1923, of this most interesting Bird Journal pub- lished by the Pacific Northwest Bird and Mammal Society, is at hand and as usual is filled with fresh readable bird notes, direct from the field. The leading article in this issue is on occurrence of the Plumed Egret — An Asiatic Species; Mesophonyx in- termedia— in British Columbia, the specimen referred to having been killed at Burrad Inlet, in May, 1879, and until recently it was regarded as Egretta candidissina. This publica- tion adds another real bird (not an imaginaray sub species) to the A. O. U. list, and the "Murreiet"' is to be congratulated upon being the medium through which this information is put on record. The Summer Birds of the Adirondack In Franklin County, N. Y. By Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and H. D. Minot This is a re-print of this well known Bulletin, wihich originally appeared in 1877, and is put out by the Roose- velt Wild Life Forest Experiment Station, under the direction of Dr. Charles C. Adams. Roozevelt Wild Life Bulletin. Vol. 1, No. 4, March, 1923. This is a splendidly written and arranged resrme of the subject of which it treats, and is illustrated by many half-tones and a considerable number of colored plate?. It will long be a standard on the subject. It has been our ob-^^ervation that what- ever Silloway does he does well. Attached to this as pp. 487-520, is a paper by Dr. Charles C. Adams, Di- rector of the Roosevelt Wild Life For- est Experimental Station, on the re- lation of Birds to the Adirondack Forest Vegetation, which is likewise a real contribution to the Literature on that subject. It is illustrated by many half-tones and -filled with in- formation and suggestions of value. The Summer Birds of the Alleghany State Park By Aretas A. Saunders This is Roosevelt Wild Life Bulle- tin, No. 1, No. 3, March, 1923. And the fact that A. A. Saunder's name appears at the top is an amply suffi- cient guarantee of both thorough- ness, and Scientific accuracy, which is well borne out, throughout the en- tire paper, which consists of pp. 335- 386. This likewise is illustrated by a considerable number of half tones and a few colored plates, and Con- tains a key for the identification for the Birds in the Field. It is a reposi- tory of informiation that the State does well to put within reach of its citizens. — R. M. Barnes. Red Tailed Hawk Carnegie Museum Leaflet No. 1 This is a little leaflet of four pages, prepared and illustrated by our 140 THE COL00I6T friend, George M. Sutton, and is on the order of the Audubon Leaflet. Bulletin of the Audubon Society of West Pennsylvania, April, 1923 This is well gotten up publication, of fifty-two pages, illuminated with a splendid drawing of a male Cardinal, by George M. Sutton, and contains articles on "Field Identification of our Winter Birds," by Mr. Sutton. "Crossbill Visitors," by Byard H. Christy. "Fruit Trees for the Birds," by John L. Phillip. "Incidentals," by E. W. Arthur. "Suggestions to the Bird Student," by C. W. Parker. "The Great Horned Owl," by S. S. Dicky. "Evergreen Trees as a Protection for Birds," by George H. Parker. "Why Birds Need Nesting Houses, Bathing Pools and Feeding Stations," by T. W. Weisman. "The Purple Martin," by J. Warren Jacobs. "Young Night Hawks," by Leroy Homer. "The Star- ling in Southwestern Pennsylvania," by George M. Sutton. Audubon's Outings," by Helen Blaine. "Cemeter- ies as Bird Sanctuaries," by Jesse L. Jones. "Watch the Cats," by C. W. Parker. It also contains a numiber of half- tone illustrations and a black and white drawing of the Starling, by Mr. Sutton. A facsimile of a letter from John Burroughs, and a list of mem- bers of this Audubon Society. All in all it is a very credible publication. R. M. Barnes. ILLINOIS NOTES The following list of birds were seen on April 29th, 1923, near Texico, Jefferson Co., 111., they are catalogued by the old A. O. U. list. A.O.U. No. 180 Whistling Swan — Found along side of R. R. in a pond; it was injured and unable to fiy. Found dead two days later about 40 ft. from the water; very rare. 228 Woodcock — I knew him by his Tuck, Tuck, as he started out about daylight. Very rare; the second one I have seen in 10 years in Illinois. 230 Wilson Snipe— Rare. 273 Killdeer — Common. 316 Mourning Dove — Common. 325 Turkey Vulture — Not common. 333 Cooper's Hawk — Not common. 368 Barred Owl — Common. 373 Screech Owl — Common. 390 Belted Kingfisher — ^Common. 406 Red Headed Woodpecker — Very common. 412 Flicker — Very common. 488 Crow^ — Very common. 461 Wood Pewee — Not common. 477 Blue Jay — Very common. 501 Meadowlark — Very common. 511 Purple Graeckle — Rare. 529 American Gold Finch — Common. 504 Vesper Sparrow — Not common. 558 White Throated Sparrow — Com- mon. 560 Chipping Sparrow — Very com- mon. 567 Slate Colored Junco— One seen. 583 Cardinal — Common. 598 Indigo Bunting — Not common. 611 Purple Martin — Common. 616 Barn Swallow — Rare. 636 Black and White Warbler— Rare. Authority of H. W. Henshaw's "Friends of Our Forests." 674 Oven Bird — ^Not rare, authority as above. 681 Maryland Yellow Throat— Com- mon Summer Resident. 703 Mocking Bird — Very common. 721 House Wren — ^Very common. 731 Tufted Titmouse — Common. 736 Carolina Chickadee — Very com- mon. 756 Veery — Very common. 761 Robin — Very common. 766 Blue Bird — Very common. J. Earl Harlow. Texico, 111., June 10, 1923. We are not certain that the "Veery" is correctly identified by Mr. Harlow. — Editor. The ooL06idt 141 Richard C. Harlow, formerly of State College, Pennsylvania, whom we personally regard as the best field oologist in the United States at this time, together with George H. Stuart III, and Fletcher Street, of Pitts- burgh, spent twelve davs during the pa-t spring collecting season at Bel- videre, Alberta, exploiting the ooI^.T' o" th-it territor". During which time n ne~t of the Lorn and sets of Ye'l' •- 'c--. D 'fialo-hc-id Duck, Solitary ""T-'^'ijer, Grinuell's Water Thrush, Cnnada Grouse, Palm Warbler, Con- ■-'^rt:c"t Warbler, Nelson's Sparrow, Td ether rare rpecies v.^ere taken. — R. M. B. CHriCKMATING THE PARASITE (From "The Oologist") The writer has become mightily in- terested in the profoundly-comnlicat- p'' phenomena of Parasitism. It has filled me with amazement to find, on roinri through the 5,000 pages of my '^"n'Tcript en the "Nesting Ways of "•'rrth American Birds," that no less than two hundred North American n-^cie^ of birds are more or less par- asitic,— (most of them, of course less so). Equally of course, there are quite a number of species that are mutually parasitic, e. g., the Cuckoos and the Brewer Blackbird. Of all the '■pecies that are frequent hosts of the Cowbird, I know of but a half-dozen, or fewer, that have caught the trick of embedding the intruded egg, or eggs. These are, — ^the Yellow Warb- Jer, — pre-eminently, — the American Goldfinch, — ^just once, In my own ex- perience; the Bell Vireo, — ^also just once; — and, there are others. Two birds with which I am familiar, nest- ing on the ground, have the more-or- less fixed habit of ejecting the ob- noxious intrusion. These are, the Song Sparrow and the Bobolink; and I have fine negatives to prove it. p. B. Peabody. KILDEER IN OHIO May 21, 1922, I found four eggs of the Kildeer on a new Blue Limestone road near Dixon, Van Wert County, Ohio. The eg.p-s lay in a slight de- pression near the barn. There were no weed" to shade cr conceal the eggs, which were quite conspicuov. an-.-^nrr t the bl;^e lin^O'tone. The sitting bird flushed v.'hen niv hor e trrned rlifhtlv froia the cen- ter of the read. The road v/as a rai'.ch traveled on'^, and I was rvr- pri:ed that the e^-g; had net been broken. May 27, 1923, I fo"nd another no t rf the Kildeer near the Mercer Coun- ty Reservoir, at Celma, Ohio. The four eggs were in a slight depression in the cinders and gravel between the rAil3 and ties of an old railroad spir vrhich appeared to be seldom 11.^ ed. The shells were chipped and the young were "cheeping" in ide. Beth birds vrere reen nearby. During the month of May 1922, I fluEhed an adult Woodcock, in a small V et woods, southwest of Payne, Ohio. I was surprised to see her (?) car- r ing between her feet and legs one of the young which appeared to be f ^lly two4hirds grown. She flew very .^lowly and with the greatest cifTiculty, rising not more than six feet above the ground, and flying about fifty feet before she settled in the brush and weeds. The young bird struggled a great deal and both birds scolded, chattered and remonstrated. The other three young flew up and alighted in the brush and weeds a short distance away. I was unable to find any of the birds after they had alighted. Hooner F. Pierce, Payne, Ohio. 142 THE 00L0QI8T THE RETURN OF THE MAGPIE. Several old-timers have informed me that the Magpie was formerly common in the Edmonton District, where they made themselves objectionable by at- tacking cayuses with sore backs, in the days when pack trains were no novelty in Edmonton; but from the time of my arrival in Alberta, in '98, until the fall of 1919, I never saw a single specimen in this part of the province. On September 15th, 1919, 1 observed one lone straggler flying near the Pembina River, at Belvedere. In 1920 one made its appearance on Septem- ber 1st, alighting on the back of one of my horses in the pasture, and on the 9th I observed four of them together. In a short time they became generally distributed over the district and re- mained through the winter. In the spring they all disappeared except one pair, which built a nest on my place at Lac La Nonne, and raised a brood of five young. One of these I took for a pet, but it did not live. I found the nest on April 5th. On the 17th it appeared to be completed and the bird was sitting on the 23rd. The nest was in a thick clump of wil- lows and was the usual roofed struct- ure of sticks, described in the bird books. I observed that it had two entrances. On June 11th the young had left the nest and were perched on branches near it. During the nesting period the birds were very quiet and seldom seen. The family remained in the vicinity all summer and I often observed the six of them together. They seemed to be the only Magpies in the country, as on several motor trips to Edmonton, 60 miles southeast, and as far as 30 miles east, during the summer none were seen. On August 25th I saw eight of them together, so they must have been joined by two more birds, and on Oc- tober 23rd I saw eleven at one time. Since then I have seen Magpies nearly every day and they seem to be gener- ally distributed over the district. An interesting question is, why did the American Magpie abandon the country for over 20 years and why are they now re-occupying it? A. D. Henderson, Belvedere, Alta., Can. A NEWSY LETTER. One of our collectors, who is now in Lower California, writes under date Oi February 25th: "Mail is always welcome in this out- of-the-way place. The nearest rail- road station is over 200 miles away. Mail goes to Gueymas, Mexico, where it stays until some boat takes it to La Paz, and then it comes the rest of the 145 miles on mule back. We had a very nice trip down the coast, and are now located in this place, in a very comfortable adobe house, one of the best in town. This town is about a mile from the Gulf of Lower Cali- fornia, and eight miles from Cape Lucas. The town is placed in a little valley about a mile wide and forty miles long. The principal industry is raising sugar cane, tomatoes and cattle. About a mile from town is quite an extensive slough, which is ideal for shore birds and Heron. This morn- ing I saw on the marsh Brewsters, Egret, American Egret, Reddish Egret, Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron and others. The Herons are exceedingly shy, "May Maleto," as the Mexicans say. We have been treated nicely and have had no un- pleasantness of any kind. Every day or so some one brings in a bird, generally without a tail. One young man sent me a bird taken forty-five miles from here, and the sad part of it was, and also the THE OOLOQIST 14d wonderful part of it was, that it was tailless. Also it was a very rare bird from the type locally known as Beautiful Bunting from Miraflores. Have taken quite a few of the Cape birds and will soon send a shipment. Outside of a few mosquitoes, and some of the refinements of the State, I am very comfortable. Have an ideal place to work and have collected sixty spe- cies and noted over a hundred. Col- lecting is rather difficult, the birds being exceedingly shy, and long walks are necessary, and it is about all I can do to get nine or ten laid away each day, except Sunday, when I rest. Prob- ably will be here about six weeks, then go up to the higher mountains. Don't know exactly where, but hope to re- main in the Cape Region a year. Liv- ing is quite high here, which surprised me greatly, and good things to eat are hard to procure. Opportunities for such desirable outings come only to those who have demonstrated their integrity, skill and ability in the line of such collecting. The Editor. THE BLUE GOOSE Half a dozen rare Blue Geese were lately presented to the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. Their donors are the members of the St. Anne's Island Duck Shooting Club, on the St. Clair River. No less than fifteen Blue Geese were killed at the Club last fall. The birds are the same size as the Lesser Snow Goose, and have red beaks and feet and white heads and necks. The back and body of the Blue Goose is the delicate blue grey shade seen in the fur of the blue fox. The birds are very destructive, pull- ing the grass on feeding ponds right up by the roots. Walter Raine, Toronto, Canada. FROM THE PAGE OF AN OLD DIARY, 1874. From the page of an old diary of one of my brothers, for August 15th. 1874, I read the following: "Stayed at home and done up my chores and cleaned off and watered my horses, and it was half-past six o'clock, and then I took the gun and went down along the creek a hunting and I shot eight pigeons." He helped draw up wheat and when he got that done he says "1 took the gun and went down along the creek a hunting, and I was gone until six o'clock and got four pigeons." Just think of it, twelve pigeons in one day. He says "It was a warm, pleasant day." The gun he mentions is an old- fashioned double barreled muzzle loader, which I have in my antique collection at the present time. I was less than four years old then. George W. H. vos Burgh, Columbus, Wis. 144 tH£ 00L00I8T NEWSPAPER ORNITHOLOGY Seventeen Foot Condor Flying Away With Baby, is Killed. Geneva, Switz., Apr. 14. — A large Condor flying away with the baby of Swiss peasants, wias shot down by the father. He saw the Condor swoop down and lift the child into the air. The wounded bird fell so slowly the baby was slightly injured. The wing spread of the bird is reported as 17 feet, 5 inches. — Herald Examiner. Again we remind YOU Send in cl ^tory abozit j^otir Field Trip STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION, ETC., REQUIRED BY THE ACT OS CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1D12, of The Oologist, published monthly at Albion, N. Y., for April 1, 1923. STATE OF ILLINOIS, County of Marshall- — ss. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared R. Magoon Barnes, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the owner of The Oologist. and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, manage- ment, etc., of the aforesaid publica- tion for the date shown in the above caption, requ-'red by the Act of Augus' 24, 1912, embodied in section 443, Pos- tal Laws and Regulations. Publisher, Editor, Managing Editor, and Business Manager, R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. Not a corpor- ation. No stock has ever been issued. The Oologist is owned exclusively by R. Magoon Barnes. There are no bond holders, mort- gagers or other security holder, none have ever been issued. R. MAGOON BARNES. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of June, 19''.^. (Seal) FAY BALL. My commission expires Feb. 16, 1927. to the Oologist THE OOLOGIdT Will Exchange personally .aken Florida sets for books. "Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. FOR SALE for Cash — Bulletin Coop- er Club & Condor, Volumes 1 to 6 In- clusive, complete, except No. 6, "Vol. 1 Oologist. Vol. XI, (1894) complete; Vol. X (1893) complete, except April, July nnd November. 'W. B. Sampson, 1005 North San Joaquin St., Stockton, Cal. "^' ANTED — To exchange bird and mammal skins for bird and fish books. Richardson's Fauna Borealis, and Bent's Diving Birds especially desired. "\\'alter Koelz, Department of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. "FOR EXCHANGE — Rare Sets of Eggs such as Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Aleutian Tern. Long-bill Curlew, Loon, "Welches Ptarmingan, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden Eagle, and many others. "WANT — Male and female skins of Richardson and Black Pigeon Hawks; Harris, Harlans, Zone-tailed, Short-tailed, and Red-bellied Hawks; Peals, Pergerine, and Aplomado Fal- cons; Mallard, Widgeon, and Ring-neck Ducks; Purple Sandpiper; Wandering Tattler; Buff-crested Sandpiper; Black Oystercatcher; Marbled Godwit; Velvet Scoter; Yellow-crowned Night Heron. K. B. Mathes. Batavia, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE^— Sets from New- Zealand: Dove Petrel, Black Swan, Mutton Bird, Black Backed Gull. White Fronted Tern, Red Billed Gull, Gannet, Caspian Tern. From Australia: White Faced Storm Petrel, Sootv Tern, Silver Gull. Pelican, Coot, Little Blue Pen- quin. From Ireland: Moon Hen, Coot, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Razor Bill, Puffin. Guillemont. All collected by self. To exchange for good sets, with proper data. L. L. Redick, Newington, Connecticut. WANTED — Sets of No. 11, 37, 60, 112, 135, 137, 183, 186. 207. 213, 217, 230, 253, 281. 264, 276, 301, 305, 309. E. S. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Mass. "NOT MERELY STUFFED," but per- fect In plumage and condition and ac- curately mounted specimens of th© fol- lowing: Goshawk. Spruce Grouse, Prairie Chicken, Ruffed Grouse and Mountain Quail. Will exchange for sets. G. A.. Abbott, Glasgow, Ky. FOR SALE — Natural History BoolcB and Magazines, Antiques, Curios, Min- erals, Insects, Shells and other speci- mens from this locality, or will ex- change for Coins and Stamps. Ralph L. Wheeler, Canaan, N. H. FOR SALE — Tv^cTlarge upright cab- inets of 32 drawers each, one of ori- ental oak, and one of hard pine. Also my entire Natural History Collection of Thousands of Specimens. A good chance for a Museum. Address Dr. W. S. Strode. Laguna Beach, Califor- nia, Orange Co. FOR EXCHANGE— I have for ex- change. for skins desired by me a number of Snowy Owl Skins, in all grades of plumage ranging from al- most pure white males to the darkest colored summer females. If you can use the'=;e send me your list of dupli- cates. _JR^^VI.JBarnese. EXCHANGE — Natiorval"' Geographic Magazines for Bird Magazines, also will take sets. Send want list. J. Earl H:irlow, Texico, Illinois^ WANTED— By H. H. Johnson, Pitts- field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXITI, 5; Vol. XXIV, all; Journal Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI, 4; VII, 1; Nuttall Bulletin, all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornlth. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37, 39; N, A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Uwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED— -Lepldopters from the West and South West, especially Splln- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay, 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Phila. Pennsylvania,. WANTED — Prismatic Binoculars. C. S. Sharp, Escondido, Cal. Will grlve sets of 349 or part cash. How about It? EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two hundred pages, well Ulns- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Ooloflrv- It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A history olf this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illua- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustrations showing proper cabinet arrangements of specimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five on prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Birds and Prices adopted for the exchange of specimens of eggs of each 11. Advertie*- ments. Paper bound copies %1M. Cloth bound copies $2.00. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. THE OOLOQI«T THE « ♦ » WILSON BULLETIN A Biboliograph of scarce or out of A ftUARTEHLY JOURNAL, OF ORNITHOLOGY print, North American Amateur and Paylns particular atteBtlon to Field stHdle. of Bird. In Middle ^^^^^ Periodicals, devoted more or North America. Now In Its 28th year. „ „# -.„.»„Ki« ^off^.- less to Ornithology. Listing 147 »ep- 64 pages or more of readable matter =' a i- wlth Illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. 91.60 per year, 40 cts. per copy. arate publications. Price 25 cents. Official Organ of y^g R. M. BARNES. WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Lacon, ML Address GORDON "WILSON, Secretary, 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. The Oologist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. No. 9. ALBION, N. Y,, Sept. . 1923. VVholk \«.. 437 THE OOLOGIST DRISJF SPBCIAL, AN NOli NCUVIIlfT* W .t.ieil. i;xchrtnt?e. For Sale. Ktc, inserted In tkll d«9ss than 25 cents. We will advertise the skins, nests, eg-gs. or mounted specimeng of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to d«al 'n the same. These columns are for the use of those deslrinr to mak« bona flde ^xchanet'S of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only. — BDITOR. will DATA BLANKS— I will print 500 .S anla-d Data Blanks with your name on them for $1.50 postpaid. Edward S. 1 no abs. 233 Washington St., Maiden. . ?.T is :nchusetts. W^ ANTED to hear from collectors liaving sets of eggs or Bird Skins to dispose of. Cash or exchange. C. F. Pahrman, 1011 Fourth St., La Porte, Ind. WANTED — Am building a Museum and desire to secure through exchange (11- purchase, skins, nests, eggs or mounted specimens of North American Birds, sets of eggs with nests especial- l.v desired. Can use many common varieties. Also want Indian Relics, Shells, minerals and Butterflies. Brasher C. Bacon, 315 North Seminary St., Madisonville, Ky. Let me mount your trophies. Send stamped envelop for prices on mount- ing vour specimens. No full price- li.sts. W. S. Gilfoil, Taxidermist, Ome- ga, La. Buffalo Heads Mounted — Very fine, full blooded wild bull, heads, hides and robes for sale, or can furnish raw heads for mounting later. F. A. Pat- ton, care So. Dak. Game Lodge, Her- mosa. S. Dak. In addition to eggs In sets I am making a cosmopolitan collection of single.";. Must have accurate data thor- oughlv identified. OiTer skins, eggs, or cash. A. W. Hanaford, R. R. 9, Box 1210. r.o"=; Angeles, Cal^ BIRD MAGAZINES AND BOOKS WANTED — Nuttall Bulletin; set or parts: The Auk, Vols. 1 to 6, also Vol. 7. Nos. 2, 3, 4; Vol. 9, Nos. 3, 4; Vol. 11, No. 4; Vol. 14, No. 2; Vol. 17, Nos. 2, 3, 4; also any Vol. after 35. Cooper Club Bull, and Condor, first 3 Vols. Have many parts of Auk and Bird Lore for sale. W^ant Bent's Diving Birds, for which I offer $7. Quote Gulls and Terns, Ridgway's Birds, odd Vols., Coues' Key, Ridgway's Color Key; Audubon's Birds, odd Vols, or Plates. Books on shooting. Game Birds. Wild Fowl, Big Game, Game Cocks and Cooking; His- tory of Guns; Prints for framing relat- ing to Shooting Game Animals. All more noted "Works on above subjects in any language, old or new. Prefer to buy or sell for cash rather than ex- change. Send me your offers describ- ing fully and name your price. Large Catalogues relating to above subjects and all Nature Study sent on receipt of 5 cents in stamps. S. N. Rhoads, Franklin Bookshop, 920 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Jun. 3t SHELL COLLECTORS and MTJSBlJMs — A fine lot of the "Llguus" or tree snails from the hammocks of Fla. for sale, or will exchange for skins or eggs. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach, Florida. Jun. 3t T\'ill exchange or pay cash for a few small native or foreign mounted birds needed to fill collection. Also skins if properly prepared for mount- ing. Send list and prices. L. W. Speer. Taxidermist, Sac City, Iowa. EXCHANGE LIST — Skins: F, Wood Duck; M, Farallone Gormorant; M, Sage Grouse; 2 M, Mallards; M-P, Gad- well; 2 M, Spoonbill; M-P, Eared Grebe; M. Western Grebe; F, Hooded Merganser; M-P, Bl. Cr. Night Heron; M-P, Caspian Tern; M-P, Ring B. Gull; M-P, Porsters Tern; M-P, Avocet; M-P, "V\^ilson Phalarope. Eggs in Sets: Tre- ganzas Blue Heron, 2, 3, 4, 5; R. B. Gull, 2, 3; Farallone Corm, 3. 4; Mal- lard, 5, 7, 8; Gadwall. 7, 8, 9; Cinnamon Teal, 11; Canada Goose, 2; Sage Grouse,- 4; Am. Dipper, N.4; Coot, 8; Sand Hill, Crane, 2. Dr. A. G. Prill, Scio, Oregon.] FOR EXCHANGE — Bird skins, Inl- eluding Hepburn Rosy Pinch, Bohemi-' an Waxwing, Merrill Song Sparrow^, Merrill Horned Lark, Western Tree Sparrow. Hammond Flycatcher, and others, for eggs in sets. P. R. Decker, Kiona, Wash. I have for EXCHANGE sets of eggs of the following species, A. O. U. Nos.: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 32, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 51, 53, 54, 58, 59, 63, 65, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 80, 81, 81.1, 83, 86, 86a, 104, 106, 107, 114, 114.1, 115, 115.1, 117, 120, 125, 127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 150, 160, 167, 169, 172, 172a. 172c, 174, 178, 179, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 192, 194, 194b, 196, 199. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, 111. FOR EXCHANGE— Pine sets of 327, 330, 360c, 364, 405, 445, 479 and 551; also many common ones. Will collect mammal skins to order. Desire sets or bird skins. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach. Florida. Jun. 3t FOR SALE or EXCHANGE— A col- lection of some ten thousand stamps, on separate sheets for each country. T^^ant bird skins for all or part. Gus. Langeller, Cape Rouge, Que., Canada. We need Volume 36. No. 11 of The Oologist. Whitman Davis, Librarian, General Library, A. & M. College. Miss. EXCHANGE — 1 complete set of North Western School of Taxidermy lessons, value $20.00; what have you? George Carpenter, 746 Lincoln Plaice, Brooklyn. N. Y, The 05LOG1ST. Vol. XL. No. 9 Albion, N. Y., Sept.. 15^23. Whole No. 437 Onrned and Published Monthly, by R. M. BARNES, Albion, N. v., and Lacon, IlL TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologrist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expires with this IMua Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Alb>on. N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. APPRECIATION During- the last couple of months we have received a very laro;e number of letters from our sul)scribers, extendins^ to us their sympathy for our illness, and likewise congratulating us on our recovery. These communications are so many in number we take this method of thanking our friends for their interest in our wel- fare.— R. M. P)arnes. DEPRECIATION The above Appreciation was dictated at home in Lacon during the first week in September at a time when we thought our troubles were over. How little we really do know ! Sep- tember 9th. we started again for Rochester, ]\Iinn.. and at this writing (Sept. 23d) are there 3'et, however, with the condi- tional promise of release by October 1st. This e.xi:)lains the lateness and paucity of this month's OOLOGIST. We truly hope to be home and able to get out a real OOLOGIST for October.— R. M. Barnes. 146 THE OOLOGIST CALIFORNIA ROADRUNNER A bizarre freakish pair of birds are to be seen almost daily down Arch Beach way speeding along the road or across the lots. Always seemingly in a great hurry to get somewhere and yet no place to, go. At the end of each little burst of speed the long tail is elevated over the hack and a crest on the top of the head is momentarily flasked. They rarely fly. If pushed to great speed the wings are spread out, the tail opened which acts appar- ently as a rudder and a stop break. They become actually ground planes. The usual route is down the street for a block or two across a stubble field of several acres, over a canyon and in a short time they will be seen coming up the opposite side still run- ning and at intervals making a dash at a lizard or a grasshopper. Some- times one only is to be seen, the fem.nle probably incubating. When the male is alone he often flies to the roof of our cottage, where he will make a queer chattering noise with hi3 l)ill not unlike castanets. A post across the ravine is a favorite perch- ing place, where he will sit for awhile uttering a low cooing very like that of the Mourning Dove. These strange birds are the Cali- fornia Roadrunners, scientiflc name Geococcyx Californianus, known also by various synonyms as Chaparral Cock, Snake Killer, Lizard Birds, Cock of the Desert, etc. The are about two feet long, one- half of which is a long fowl-like tail. Color above olive brown, with a green- ish sheen, buffy-white below. Toes two before and two behind. Nests in low bushes, composed of sticks and weeds, a mere platform. Lay from four to ten eggs deposited at different intervals. A nest may contain a fresh egg, a bird just hatched and then all si^es up to hg^lf grown young, the main food however consisting of lizards and small snakes. The food of the young is principally lizards, which are pushed down the throat with the tail hanging out and gradual- ly disappearing by gulps as the body is digested. That they are destructive to families of small Quails is urged against them by some and also to small birds which they stalk like a cat. This latter fact has been verified by the writer. One day a bird was heard out in the yard screaming bloody murder. On hurry- ing out a runner was found making- the feathers fly from a San Diego Towhee. On our appearance the bird was released and the runner dis- appeared into the bushes. These gar- ish birds are distributed throughout the Southwest in the desert and plains country, Colorado, Texas, Southern California and Northern Mexico. They delight to speed up in front of a fast team or galloping horse. Modern horseless carriages seem to give them a thrill, and they will give it quite a race for a while, but on look- ing back and finding the auto gaining will dash down a path or shoot off among the cactus and as far as the eye can see will continue running at top speed. They belong to the Cuckoo family and are not far removed from the Par- rots and Anis. All freakish birds. They are destructive to rattlesnakes, which when discovered they will circle so rapidly that the reptile be- comes bewildered. Then its eyes will be picked out. It is also claimed that that will encircle a rattler with a hedge of thorns which it cannot crawl over and then dispatch it at leisure. We are from Missouri on this point. A day or two since I discovered the nest of this pair of Runners at the edge of the canyon near my house, but the birds had departed. It was in a mahogany bush, three feet from tH6 OOLOGISt 147 the ground, a number of egg shells on the ground and the nest a platform of sticks with only a slight depression in the center. I had no inclination to collect the birds or their eggs. Several kinds of Humming Birds visit the flowers in our yard every day, Towhees, Thrashers, Mocking Birds, and several kinds of Sparrows come regularly to drink and be fed. Dr. W. S. Strode, Lagune Beach, Calif. July 31, 1923. NESTING OF THE RICHARDSON PIGEON HAWK To describe the habits of this Hawk, it may be well to first give a brief sketch of the country here where 1 find this bird nesting. The State Game Preserve, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, comprise ninety-one thousand acres, among the largest, well kept, protected and fenced game parks in the world, abounding in herds of both black and white tailed deer, elk, buffalo, big- horn sheep, ranging at large in near their wild state, in a pine covered mountainous and foot-hill country. In this portion of the black hills are many deep and rocky canyons with a heavy growth of pine and other trees, so steep are the high hills and so dense the growth, the sun can hardly penetrate, always dark and gloomy, is the home of the Richardson's Pigeon Hawk. Here it builds its nest in the darkest and shadiest spot, well up in a pine tree, here it raises its young and carries on its work of destruction as the food of this bird in this lo- cality, consists of ninety-five per cent of the Black Hills Ruffed Grouse. In examining nests containing young 1 find a hat full of bones and feet of the Grouse and nothing else, and the same is usually the case in the crops of old birds killed. The nest is built entirely of sticks, a solid platform affair with little at- tempt at lining. The eggs, three and four, more or less spotted with light brown. This Hawk is shy and keeps well to cover and well it stands in hand in my range, seldom flying out in the open, then usually to attack its enemy, the Kriders Hawk, for seldom can a Krlders have a peaceful sail over the hill top without being attacked by one of these little pests. Like an ar- row it appears from cover, pursuing the awkward-flying Kriders beating it Irom above and forcing it to cover. It is quite useless to follow these birds when seen to enter a dense for- est, as they simply vanish. What 1 shot 1 come on unawares and got them by a quick shot. F. A. Patton, Artesian, South Dakota. A STORM MIGRATION I have been a student of bird life for many years, but 1 saw the strangest sight on August 20, 1923, that has ever been my luck to see. It had been threatening rain since 1 o'clock p. ra. and about 5:30 p. m. it began thundering, and the wind was blowing quite a gale from the northwest. While outside, standing underneath a large maple tree, I saw a few birds headed southeast, but they were but a few and didn't attract much atten- tion. Upon looking up just a few mo- ments later I saw a large flock of birds winging their way southward. I ran to the house for my field glasses to try and find out what species they were, and just as I returned to my lookout tree, the flock passed over 1^ tH6 OOLOQISt me. I estimated the flock at 500, and among them I saw Crows, Mourning Doves, Night Hawks (Chordeles vir- ginianus) Whip-poor-wills and one Great Blue Heron, also a few Kill- deer. They were flying as if their lives depended on leaving the storm behind. Up until this date there had been 25 or 30 Killdeer feeding in a cattle pasture about a quarter of a mile from my home, the pasture was prairie land, and there were two ponds in the plot. The Killdeers nested in this plot, and I found quite a few nests and later on saw the young. I visited this pasture on August 21, 22, 23 and 24. But I was unable to find a single bird until today, the 25th. 1 found the Killdeers as plentiful as ever. I suppose they, too, had been driven south by the storm. The strangest thing of all was that a Great Blue Heron that has been using the ponds in the pasture has remained in them the past few days, just like he has for the past two weeks. I have often seen a few birds flee- ing ahead of a storm, but I have never seen so many at one time as in this instance. Why did they leave? And where did they go? Search me! I don't know. J. Earl Harlow, Texico, 111. Aug. 25, 1923. Jefferson Co. FREAK CARDINAL EGGS My father and 1 went down to the nearest creek for a day's fishing on July 13, 1923. It rained most of the morning, and the fish bit well. After a long hard day we came in tired and happy, with nine good fish between us^ — which is a good day's bag for that stream with a fly rod. As a side line I might say that I had flve of them while the veteran had only four. However busy fishing we may be, I am never past stopping for a side ex- cursion after some bird. Late in the afternoon 1 came to a place where the stream had cut through a willow bar, and as I waded along the edge of the willows in hip deep water trolling my fly along the edge of the willows ahead of me, a Cardinal flew out of the willows just at my head. After some trouble in getting my footing solid enough to look above me, I found the nest about three feet above and over the water. While both adults watched me, I ex- an:'ned the eggs, and finding them odd I took them with me, carrying them in my hat for four miles. And, by the way, one was cracked when I found the nest, but I managed to save it, although it is a very unstable ad- dition to a collection. The eggs are all three different. In the first place, all the Cardinal sets I have seen this season were a pale bluish-white with regular speckling. The ground color of these eggs is a cream color, of rather pronounced hue. One is heavily spotted with reddish brown to the exclusion of the basic color. The second egg is very light, with a fair marking of reddish brown about the large end only. The third egg has only three spots of reddish brown on its whole surface, two being small, and the third spot is almost one-half inch in diameter and irregu- lar in shape. Oddly to say, three days later six feet of water came down the creek — no more nests for a while. Johnson A. Neff, Marionville, Mo. THE OOLOGlSt 149 FAVORITE LAKE FOR BIRDS SAVED TO MINNESOTA Swan Lake, a valuable and unusual body of water about 10,500 acres in area, located in Nicollet County, Minn., has been saved to the state through the efforts of the State Game and Fish Commissioners, the Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agriculture and landowners and local conservationists of the region. A movement to lower the level of the lake four feet, eventually draining it entirely, was successfully opposed and defeated at two hearings after an ex- amination of the wild fowl and food plant value of the lake had been made by three representatives of the Biologi- cal Survey. In deciding this case the District Court in Minnesota laid emphasis on the great importance to the public welfare of such bodies of water as Swan Lake. Its favorable location, its relatively shallow fresh water, and its abundant growth of vegetation suit- able for cover, nesting sites, and food have made it an attractive resort for many kinds of waterfowl. Its mar- gins and wooded islands are a valuable asset in the conservation not only of game birds but also of insectivorous birds useful to farmers. Among the water birds that breed on the lake are several species of ducks, including Mallards, Blue-winged Teal, Redheads, Lesser Scaup and Ruddy Ducks; Sora Rails, Florida Gallinules, American Coots, four species of Grebes, Black Terns, and Black-crowned Night Herons are also common. At least fifty kinds of plants valu- able as food for water birds grow in this lake, including practically all the best duck food plants of the United States. There is also an abundance of freshwater snails of several species liked by water birds. Lowering the level of this lake materially would eventually cause the disappearance of its present kind of vegetation and gradually destroy its value as a water- fowl resort. NESTING OF THE MOURNING WARBLER A short account of the nesting of the Mourning Warbler, (Oporornis Philadelphia) may perhaps be of inter- est to some of your readers who are not able to meet with this species dur- ing the breeding season. While not by any means common in these parts it is of fairly frequent occurrence and though T usually see one or two pairs during the breeding season, this is the first time I have been fortunate enough to discover the nest. This however is not surprising when you take into consideration the nature of the country which consists of vast stretches of second growth bush in various stages and tangles of scrub, so that the finding of a nest is almost like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack, even tl)Qugh you may locate the area in which a par- ticular pair of birds is nesting. In this case it was purely a matter of luck, as I have been searching in the vicinity of the nest on several days and had not once caught sight of a Mourning Warbler or had any in- dication that they were around there. It was on the morning of July 1st while walking along the edge of some second growth bush, that I caught sight of a Wilson Warbler and decided to spend a while watching it and for this purpose pushed my way into some bushes to hide. It was in doing this that I found a nest with four eggs which the bird had evidently just left as they were quite warm. 1 immediately hid myself in an en- deavor to discover the owner but 150 THE OOLOaiST though the bird returned to the nest several times during the time I was watching, 1 was never able to catch sight of it owing to the thickness of the surrounding scrub, the same thing happening when I attempted to flush it from the nest, she always managed to slip away without giving me a chance of identification. The only birds that apparently showed any con- cern, were a pair of Alder Flycatchers and as the eggs though slightly larger than the general run of that species, were very similar to one type of egg that I have found and I was beginning to think that I must ascribe the nest to them, which was disappointing as they are fairly common here. However, in spite of the mosquitoes which made watching anything but pleasant, I decided to persevere and ensconcing myself in the center of a bush close by, determined to satisfy myself beyond doubt. Fortunately I had not long to wait, for in about fifteen minutes I was re- warded by the sight of a male Mourn- ing Warbler flying into some dead branches about six feet above the nest where he was in full view for several minutes, the black on the breast be- ing very conspicuous. A movement on my part, however, made him aware of my presence and at the sound of his alarm note, the female flew straight off the nest and joined him and for the space of half a minute. I had a clear view of the two of them to- gether after which they flew down in- to some bushes a short distance away. I then made a thorough examination of the nest and eggs. The nest was in a small haze bush growing in a tangle of briers and well hidden, it was about two feet from the ground and while not actually in a fork was attached to the side of one by some kind of plant down. It was composed entirely of broad flat grasses on the outside and lined with fine grasses, but contrary to any accounts of the nest I have read, there was no sign of either hair or rootlets in the lining. The eggs, four in number, and con- siderably incubated, agreed exactly with the description given in Chap- man's Warblers of North America, as to markings, and were of the type shown under figure 103 of that work, the ground color, however, was not pure white, it having a distinct brown- ish tinge even after they were blown. The identification, however, was be- yond doubt but in order to further sat: ;fy myself I thoroughly searched the vicinity and succeeded in finding and identifying the nest of the Alder Flycatcher a short distance away. L. S. Dear, Fort William, Ontario. A TREE OF MYSTERY While on a fishing trip this summer I was attracted to an over hanging elm tree near the river. Birds of all kinds would go to that tree and make all kinds of rackets, then fly away and come back again. This racket kept up until it attracted a large number of birds from all parts of the woods. I went over and sat down to see if I could find out all the excitement. I watched for thirty minutes but could see nothing but birds. First a Chicka- dee would fly at a certain part of the tree and let out a long line of bird talk, then came a Cardinal, a Wren, a Flicker and so on until the tree was a tree of music. Each bird seemed to understand the trouble but I could not eee a thing or make out what the trouble was. I got as close to the tree as I could and circled it three times, but yet could see nothing. A Chickadee got a little game and pecked the unobserved thing that they were THE 00L0QI8T 151 teasing. All at once a large snake which was laying on top of a limb of the tree, began to hiss and show his tongue. This snake closely resembled the color of the tree and was in plain view to me all the time, until the Chickadee disturbed it but the snake could not be seen as it blended in with the bark of the large elm. Ramon Graham, Texas Bird Notes, 1923. Ft. Worth, Texas. GEORGE M. SUTTON George Miksch Sutton, of the Car- negie Museum, who has recently been put in charge of the Series of Groups illustrative of Ornithology of that in- stitution, left August 17th for a canoe trip to James Bay for the purpose of collecting specimens for an illustrative life group of the Blue Goose. He is to be congratulated on so splendid an outing. R. M. Barnes. A MONTANA LIST I am sending a list of birds observed by me on a two day stay at a small lake near here. These birds, 62 species in all, were noted either at the lake or within a radius of one mile. This is a particularly favorable spot as a bird nesting ground. I found several species that I haven't found nesting in Montana before. This is a land-locked lake, and for some reason some years ago the water raised about eight feet flooding back into the timber and killing it. Many of the trees are now broken off a few feet above the water, so it has made some rather peculiar nesting sites. I found the Robin and Kingbird nests on top of sticks standing in water. Northern Hairy Woodpecker. Trail and Western Flycatcher and White-bellied Swallows by the hun- dreds. 1 saw one very furious nest of a Kingbird. One side of a stub had l)een broken off with a Woodpecker cavity in it and the Kingbirds had built in the cavity about three feet above the water. I also found a Hol- boell's Grebe nest on a tree that had fallen into the water. These birds were observed at Blanchard Lake from May 28th to June 8. 1923. O. O. U. Nos. 2, f>. G, 7, 53, 77, 131, 132, 140, 141, 149, 152, 153, 166, 214, 221, 224, 220, 263, 273, 300, 332, 333, 334, 337, 360, 370, 373h, 375, 379, 390, 393a, 401, 401a, 402a, 404, 405a, 420a, 422, 464, 466a, 491, 497, 498, 510, 515, 560, 567f, 607, 614, 616, 619, 627, 652, 656, e75a, 681a, 687, 735a, 754, 761. Harry S. Wilson, Columbia Falls, Montana. G. A. ABBOTT A note from Gerald A. Abbott says that he is leaving for Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, and continues "For the first time since the World War, we will be living among our own effects and my oological collection will be unpacked." We congratulate G. A. on finally concluding to settle down, even if he does not take Horace Greeley's ad- vice "and go West." R. M. Barnes. 152 THE OOLOQI8T A VANISHING GROUSE According to a recent census taken by Professor A. O. Gross of Bowdoin College, and Commissioner W. C. Adams, whose report to The State De- partment of Conservation is now in course of preparation, a rather seri- ous condition exists at Martha's Vine- yard. Of the fifty Heath-hens left on the Island today the majority are males. The reservation superintendent re- ports that the flocks placed under the care of the State of Massachusetts has fluctuated considerably from year to year. It has numbered into the hun- dreds during recent years and at other periods not far distant the drove has been almost depleted, as it exists today. However, no previous investigation has revealed such an alarmingly small percentage of females among this peculiar species of isolated Grouse. Let us hope some satisfactory plan will develop for perpetuating the noble fowls, which seem to be making a desperate fight against extinction. Gerard Alan Abbott, Port Allegany, Penn. lining and I believe these pests despoiled the nest and chased away the Chippies. Richard F. Miller, Philadelphia, Penn. UNUSUAL NESTING SITE OF THE CHIPPING SPARROW On May 20, 1918, at Charter Oak, Huntingdon County, Pa., I found a new Chipping Sparrow's nest in an old Hairy Woodpecker's winter-roost hole, about ten feet from the ground, in a dead upright limb on a living apple tfe« in an orchard. It was placed -at - th* ' bottom of the cavity which was six inches deep. A week latter I was chagrined to find the nest empty and deserted; the lining was mussed up and there were two English Sparrows' feathers in the FRIEND MORSE EMULATES "YE EDITOR" While 1 was lying on my back with a broken hip, 1 had intended all along to give you some account of our trip to New Mexico. Mr. G. E. Pilquist and 1 toured through Texas and New Mexico, then returned through Okla- homa. We had a very pleasant trip going down and collected many fine sets but after arriving at Carlsbad, New Mexico I had only one and one- half days collecting when I had the misfortune to get a fall which laid me up for ten days before we started back. Mr. Pilquist, I think, intends to give you a detailed account of our trip, so 1 will not dwell on it. 1 had my nephew, Mr. Edgar Lang, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, drive my car back as Mr. Pilquist does not under- stand anything about a car. When I reached home after four days enroute I called my doctor and had an examina- tion. He was not entirely satisfied so ordered X-ray made of injury. This disclosed pelvis bone broken in two places, one low down in groin, the other higher up so I was ordered to bed on my back for five or six weeks anyway. This happened the 13th of June. I am resting very nicely now and in a nice way to recovery, if I don't in- jure it again, if I do I will be a cripple the rest of my days. Mr. Pilquist would not climb any more trees after I got my fall, but the nests were so profusely scattered about that he and my nephew's boy (12) kept me busy preparing speci- THE 00L0QI8T 153 mens. I could sit up on the edge of the bed and do this work and it helped some but Mr. Pilquift has had only three years' experience collecting and did not find all of them. I could ro over the same ground and find as many following him right up, but I have been at it all my life, and I claim that I know how it is done, even though my hearing is impaired in old age. Mr. Barnes, I have collected in 13 different states, and this particular spot beats any place I ever saw. I thought we would be a little late, but they had a heavy storm down there about ten weeks before we got there and this destroyed many nests so they were building new ones and most all sets we took were fresh, and 1 made fine specimens of them, small holes, you bet. I don't want anything else. I have taken some extraordinary fine sets and would like to mention them to you. I took here a fine set of five with runt egg of Grey-tailed Cardinal. In all my collecting I never took over five of the Red-headed Woodpecker, l took a set of six. I also found three sets of Western Mourning Dove, also took two sets of three White-fronted Dove in New Mexico, a set of 1 /4 of Verdin fine nest with set. We took Bullocks, Arizona and Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Purple Finch, Western Lark Sparrow, found these nesting four or five feet up on horizontal limb out to the end along highway and field, a beautiful nest. We saved many nests, Blue Quail or Mexican Quail, White Neck Raven, Harris Hawk, two sets of three each, found six sets, but the others had young, Black Phoebe, Ark. Kingbird, Western Mocking Bird, White-fronted Dove, Western Mourn- ing Dove, Western Grosbeak, Texas Night Hawks, Senora Red-wing, sets and nests. I had climbed a cottonwood sapling for Arionza Hooded Oriole in topmost limbs. 1 got my fingers into the nest, felt three eggs. My enthusiasm got the better of my judgment so the wind swayed me over. I could not lift my climber out of wood so went over all doubled up. The tree snapped off eight feet up letting me fall 14 feet in an irrigation dit(;h, thus the accident. George W. Morse, Tulsa, Okla. COMMISSION FAVORS KILLING OF ENGLISH SPARROWS Hr.rold Bryant. Fish and Game Board, Gives Reasons For Extermination Harold C. Bryant, member of the California fi.'^h and game commission, has contributed a signed article in the teachers bulletin of the organization, dealing with the life, habits and destructive propensities of the Euro- pean house, or English Sparrow, which is of interest to the agricultur- ists and horticulturists of the state. Mr. Bryant who is an expert in or- nithology, condemns the English Spar- row as one of the most ruinous pests that the growers have to contend with in California. In referring to the eco- nomic status of the bird, he says in his pamphlet that the United States l)iological survey "has examined the stomachs of thousands of house spar- rows in collecting evidence as to the relation of this bird to agriculture and even in the few instances where the species has been known to prey upon injurious insects and weed seeds, the good so accomplished is found to be far overbalanced by the destruction of cultivated crops." Destroy Growing Crops "These birds," continues Mr. Bry- ant, "destroy fruit of every kind, buds on cultivated trees, shrubs and vines, and fat tender young vegetables as 164 THE OOLOQiSt they appear above ground. They also damage wheat and other grains whether newly sown, ripening, or in the shocks. A campaign of destruc- tion against the feathered pests is not only justified but highly necessary if crops are to be protected and our na- tive birds encouraged." According to a report of the United States department of agriculture, pub- lished in 1889, the house sparrow was first introduced into San Francisco in 1871 or 1872, probably from the east- ern states. Later some of the species were liberated in Stockton. By 188G the English Sparrow was found throughout the bay region and well in- to the interior valleys, as in the vi- cinity of Stockton, Sacramento, Hol- lister, Napa and also Eureka. When protection was given song birds in 1901, this sparrow had become so abundant and was considered so de- structive that it was black-listed and given no protection. Vast Colonies Thrive At the present time it may be found in vast colonies in practically every settlement from the Oregon line to the Mexican line, with the exception of portions of southern California. The bird first appeared in Los Angeles in 1908, but since then has been in- creasing in numbers. It was first noticed in Imperial valley in 1910 and has become numerous in all the towns of that region. "The many places," says Mr. Bryant, in speaking of the extermination of the Sparrow, "the handling of the problem by the city may lead to the best results. The appointment of a man to supervise and carry out spar- row destruction to be recommended rather than a bounty system. Spar- row clubs, in which each member is required to show a certain quota of nests or birds each week or month, have been found effective in England. San Diego has taken drastic steps to rid itself of the pest. The job of de- stroying Sparrows inside the city limits is given to one man. During the first month, this man handed over to the police department 323 dead Sparrows, for which he received five cents apiece. Later when the Spar- rows became more difficult to obtain, he was awarded 10 cents apiece. From last reports Sparrows are well under control in the southern California city." — San Jose Mercury, W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. SERIES OF EGGS OF THE KILL- DEEP; Four eggs, at least one half incubat- ed ; ground color buff. Thickly marked over the whole surface with spots and dots of brown and pale drab, with sev- eral large spot and blotches of the brown on the large ends; form pointed oval. Measure 1.56 x 1.11, 1.61 x 1.10, 1.64 X 1.10, 1.65 X 1.11 inches. Nest a very small amount of pieces of grass and stubble, on ground, in slight hol- low. Locality Columbia County, Co- lumbus, Wisconsin. Date May 1, 1890. Three eggs, badly incubated ; creamy buff ground, thickly marked over whole surface with rather coarse spots and scrawls of black-brown and lilac gray, not much of latter, how- ever; form long oval; measure, aver- age 1.80 X 1.12. No nest material, simply a hollow on plowed ground. Locality, Columbia County, Columbus, Wisconsin. Date 1890. Four eggs, incubation slight, dull creamy ground, thickly spotted and dotted with black-brown, and under markings of lilac, heaviest on larger ends. Two are more heavily marked than the others; pointed oval; meas- ure 1.51 X 1.12, 1.58 X 1.10, 1.50 x 1.07, 1.46 X 1.03 inches. Nest of a few THE OOLOQI8T 155 straws, in a hollow on ground, in grain field. Locality, Columbia Coun- ty, five and one-half miles southwest of Columbus, Wisconsin. Date, June 1893. Four eggs, fresh, ground, clay or greenish cream color, heavily marked almost entirely around the large end, with specks, spots, scrolls and blotches, of grayish and black-brown, and under markings of lilac; shape pyriform. Measure 1.54 x 1.07, 1.50 x 1.05, 1.48 X 1.05, 1.50 x 1.08 inches. Nest on the ground in marsh, well built of bits of grass and rootlets. Lo- cality, Columbia County, Columbus, Wisconsin. Date, May 31, 1896. Four eggs, slightly incubated, rich creamy white ground color, quite heavily marked with the usual mark- ings peculiar to Kildeer's eggs, of black, dirty brown specks and spots with under markings of lilac, show a few scrawls of the blackish color. Pyriform. Measure 1.50 x 1.05, 1.55 x 1.10, 1.58 x 1.05, 1.52 x 1.08 inches. Nest in hollow where there had once stood, on a long swell or knoll, in an upland pasture of virgin soil; bits of leaves and weeds, and dried dung and around edge bits of dead wood and dung. Locality, Dodge County, just southeast of Columbus, Wisconsin. Date, April 29th, 1897. Four eggs, incubated, ground color of grayish cream, quite heavily marked with black, brown and umber, in coarse specks, spots and blotches, with finer under markings of lilac, scattered more or less over the whole surface, the heaviest markings near- est the large end; pyriform, measure 1.45 X 1.05, 1.42 X 1.08, 1.48 x 1.08, 1.50 X 1.05 inches. Nest slight hollow in ground, between two weed tufts, well lined with bits of stubble; mold oat field. Locality, Columbia County, Columbus, Wisconsin. Date, June 4. 1899. Four eggs, slightly incubated, light creamy or buff ground color, well marked over the entire surface with black-brown scrawls, spots and dots peculiar to these eggs and undermark- ings of lilac. Pyriform shape. Aver- age size (cannot give measurements at this time, as the set is stored with my collection). Nest in large flat spar- ingly covered with gravel, placed in hollow in top of a small heap of pebbles, probably four quarts of same, no nesting material other than the pebbles. Locality, Lake County, Zion City, Illinois. Date, May, 1909. While searching for nests in the large old upland pasture referred to un- der the date of April 29, 1897, all un- known to me I had been closely watched. I had wanted to get a photo- graph of a Killdeer's nest and eggs, and procuring a camera I retired to this pasture. While waiting about to get a good picture of the birds too, if possible, I noticed a team stop over in the road a half mile away, and the people gaze at me. Finally a second team came up and stopped, and all seemed to be watching me with a great deal of interest, even standing up in the seat of the rigs. Soon the first rig, evidently going fishing, trans- ferred their poles to the other rig, and turning about, drove back to town as fast as their horse could go. By this time I became quite interested, and still more so, when a little later, I saw one of our neighbors come driving down the road pell mell. I thought, what the heck! He had the city marshal an old friend of mine, and- his dog, an exceedingly intel- ligent animal. They stopped near the others and the marshal and his dog got out. Things were indeed getting interesting, and probably if I hadn't had on a rather tight fitting cap my pompadour would have pushed it off, but j'ou couldn't see it made my 166 THE 00L06IST hair stand up for it naturally is that way. I sat down on a log and began to whistle, with my weather eye wan- dering in search of a gopher hole, while I waited for him to come up; for, thinks I, if he wants me he will have to come after me. He is a man who tips the beam at 290 pounds, could hold a 200 pound coil of wire out in front of him with his teeth, or a man in a chair; could hold a man out in either hand that weighed 250 or thereabout. Now I knew tV.e record of that dog, too; a dog smart almost to human. I could easily have run away from the marshall, but the dog — I felt a few doubts. When he came up to me he began to laugh and said, "Some crazy fools came up and told me there was a crazy man down here and wanted me to come and get him." He then took his dog and left. It seems a neighbor woman had been watching me and had told some people going to town that "a crazy man was down there wading in the water with pants rolled up, and bare- headed; he stayed in the 'Ox Bow' nights." I had on light colored canvas leg- gins and light colored cap. This same city marshal, one of the best in the country, afterwards be- came Stockyards Detective, Chicago, where while on a still hunt for two of the worst thugs Chicago ever knew, a part of a gang he had helped to break up, and who had sworn vegeance on him, was slugged and killed. Lewis Lieth was his name, and a braver and more conscientious officer never lived. His dog was poisoned through hatred, by a fellow townsman. George W. H. vos Burgh, Janesville, Wis. ADDITIONAL INDEX Through some unexplainable over- sight, the following was omitted from the 1922 index, as contributions by Emerson A. Stoner, of Benicia, Cali- fornia. Sparrow Hawk vs. Western Red- tail p. 22 Bhds o: a California Snow Storm.. p. 56, 57 Ground Nesting of the Brown Thrasher p. 96, 97 Sparrow Hawk Banding p. 152 R. M. Barnes. SCREECH OWL'S EGGS In the May issue of Tho Oologist, I note Mr. Graham's article on "Timing a Screech Owl." In this case it was the Rocky Mountain Screech Owl. O.i May Sth I found the nest with one egg. Returned May 12 and found two eggs. Again I returned May 17 and knowing this to be my last possible chance to be in that dirtrlct for weeks to come, collected the set. There were only three eggs which showed on blowing, one with very slight incubation, an- other with a marked increase, and the third, indicating about ten days' in- cubation. James A. Neilson, Wheatland, Wyoming. THE OOLOQItT Will Exchange personally .aken Florida sets for books. Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florifia. W AXT EO— To buv Pari 3 for Julv 1911 of THE AUK. W. H. Workman, Lismore. Windsor Avenue, Belfast, Ire- land. WANTED — To buy colle'ctioiTs of Modern Indian Relics, or most anytliing in beaded buck skin pieces. Best prices paid for pieces that T need. Robert F. Backus, Box 13, Florence, C2ok)£achx "WANTED — Back numbers 'of Bird Lore. Colored plates from Bird Lore. Issues of tlie National Geograpliic con- taining "Birds of Town and Country", and "American Game Birds." Lawrence Compton, 409 W. Webster, Pittsburg. Kansas. WANT Cooper Bulletin andnSondof. Vol. II. all but No. 1; Vol. Ill, Nos. 1, 2. 5. 6; Vols. IV to VIII incl.; Vol. XXII, Nos. 2, 3. 4, 5: Vol. XXIII, No. 6; Vol. XXIV all but No. 3; Vol. XXV, No. 1. Hoyes Lloyd, 406 Queen St., Ottawa. Canada. Hare Indian relic for sale. Plaster Paris mold of Silver Peace medal given to the Ojrbuay tribe bv Pres. Jefferson, in 1801. Albert Lano, Fayetteville, Arkansas. TO EXCHANGE — Sets from New ''""'land: Dove Petrel, Black Swan, >! Litton Bird, Black Backed Gull, White l''ronted Tern, Red Billed Gull, Gannet, Caspian Tern. From Australia: White I'^aced Storm Petrel. Sooty Tern, Silver Gull. Pelican, Coot. Little Blue Pen- quin. From Ireland: Moon Hen, Coot, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Razor Bill. Puffin, Guillemont. All collected by self. To exchange for good sets, with proper data. L. L. Redick. Newington, Connecticut. WANTED — Sets of No. 11. 37, 60. 112, 135. 137. 183, 186, 207, 213, 217, 230, 253, 261. 264, 276, 301. 305, 309. E. S. Coombs, 233 Washington St., Maiden, Mass. EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two hundred pages, well illas- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Ooloarv. It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A hlntory of thte Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illus- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustra'tions showing proper cabinet arrangements of specimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty five on prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Birds and Prices adopted for the exchange of specimens of eggs of each. 11. AdverU«*»- ments. Paper bound copies $1.00. Cloth bound copies |2.00. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. WANTED — Michener's "Insectivorus Birds of Chester County, Pa."; Jacob's "Summer Birds of Greene Countv, Pa."; Pennock's "Birds of Chester County, Ph."; Michener's "Birds of Chester County. Pa.", and Warren's "Dinurnal Rapacious Birds." Will pay cash. State condition and price. Richard F. Miller. 2526 North Second Street, Phila- delphia. Pa, FOR SALE — Two large upright cab- inets of 32 drawers each, one of ori- ental oak, and one of hard pine. Also my entire Natural History Collection of Thousands of Specimens. A good chance for a Museum. Address Dr. W. S. Strode, Laguna Beach, Califor- nia. Orange Co. FOR EXCHANGE— I have for ex- change, for skins desired by me a number of Snowy Owl Skins, in all grades of plumage ranging from al- most pure white males to the darkest colored summer females. If you can use these send me your list of dupll- cates. R. M. Barnese. EXCHANGE — Nation/al Geographic Magazines for Bird Magazines, also will take sets. Send want list. J. Earl Harlow, Texico, Illinois. WANTED— By H. H. Johnson. Pitts- field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXIII, 5; Vol. XXIV. all; Journal Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI, 4; VII. 1; Nuttall Bulletin, all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornlth. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37, 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard. Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Uwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED — Lepidopters from the West and South West, especially Splln- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay, 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Pblla, Pennsylvania. WANTED — Prismatic Binoculari. C. S. Sharp. Escondldo, Cal. Will give sets of 349 or part cash. How about It? THE 00L0QI8T THE ■ ♦ » WILSON BULLETIN A Bibollograph of scarce or out of A «IUARTKKLY JOURNAL. OF ORNITHOLOGY print, North American Amateur and PayiBK particular attention to Field Studies of Bird. In Middle Trade P&riodicals, devoted more or North America. Now In its 28th year. , ^, i* less to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- 64 pages or more of readable matter "="*=• "■" v^- "■>■'■"> a/- a r- with llluBtratlons. IndlspenBable to all active field workers. . .. ^. „ , «- * 91.B0 per year, 40 ct«. per copy. arate publications. Price 25 cents. Official Organ of y^g R. M. BARNES. WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Lacon, III. Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, ^^_ 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. •^mmtmrnm The Oologist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. No. 10. ALBION, N. Y., Oct. . 1923. Wholk N<..438 THE OOLOGIST BRIISF SPRCTAI. A \M»I XCBUnTfTS Wanted, Exchange. For Sale, Htc. inpertcfl In this dapartment at IS o*!nt8 for each 25 words for one issiip; pach ;i'Mifinnnl word 1 cent. No notice In- •serted for leas than 25 cents We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons havinp a lawful authority under the law to d«al 'n the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona flde exchanges of such specimens for poientifio collecting purposes only. — EDITOR >OR~SALE -1,000 sets of eggs, about 600 varieties, 1-3 New List Price. All sets first class. E. A. Wheeler, East Randolph. N;_Y^ WANTEb to hear from collectors having sets of eggs or Bird Skins to dispose of. Cash or exchange. C. F. Pahrman, 1011 Fourth St., La Porte. Ind. WANT'^D — Various volumes and numbe •" of Western Ornithologist, Ore- gon Naturalist. Oologist. Museum. Petrel. Bittern. Bulletin Michigan O. Club. V'lierican Ornithology, etc. Rob- ert W. Williams, 206 Maple Ave., Ta- konia Park, Maryland. T do not w^ant to exchans^e eggs, but would like to exchange letters with '■■'rd lovers anvwhere. S. A. Grimes. R. 6. Box 391, Jacksonville. Fla. WANTEO — For Cash! well marked ^'uches. 339, 337, also 388, 387, 263, 273. Write first. B. W. Strike, 2 Abingdon, V/hitton. Nr. Ipswich, Suffolk, England. In addition to eggs in sets I am making a cosmopolitan collection of 3in°-les. Must have accurate data thor- oughly identified. Offer skins, eggs, or cash. A. W. Hanaford, R. R. 9, Box 1210. Los Angeles. Cal. ~BIRD MAGAZINES AND BOOKS WANTED — Nuttall Bulletin; set or parts; The Auk, Vols. 1 to 6, also Vol. 7, Nos. 2, 3, 4; Vol. 9, Nos. 3, 4; Vol. 11, No. 4; Vol. 14, No. 2; Vol. 17, Nos. 2, 3, 4; also any Vol, after 35. Cooper Club Bull, and Condor, first 3 Vols. Have many parts of Auk and Bird Lore for sale. Want Bent's Diving Birds, for wh'ch I offer $7. Quote Gulls and Terns, Ri'lgway's Birds, odd Vols., Coues' Kev, Ridgway's Color Key; Audubon's Birls. odd Vols, or Plates. Books on "hooting. Game Birds, Wild Fowl, Big Game, Game Cocks and Cooking; His- tory of Guns; Prints for framing relat- ing to Shooting Game Animals. All more noted Works on above subjects in any language, old or new. Prefer to buy or sell for cash rather than ex- ohange. Send me your offers describ- ing fully and name your price. Large Catalogues relating to above subjects and all Nature Study sent on receipt of 5 cents in stamps. S. N. Rhoads, Franklin Bookshop, 920 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Jun. 3t SHELL COLLECTORS and MUSEUMS — A fine lot of the "Liguus" or tree snails from the hammocks of Fla. for sale, or will exchange for skins or eggs. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach, Florida. Jun. 3t W.\NTED — Sets with nests of North ^"^"•.erican T\''arblers; only first class set" "-anted. Send for my exchange list. "o'ln L. Cole. Nevada. Iowa. 10t3 WANTED — Am building a Museum and desire to secure through exchange or purchase, skins, nests, eggs or mounted specimens of North American Birds, sets of eggs with nests especial- ly desired. Can use many common varieties. Also want Indian Relics, Shells, minerals and Butterflies. Brasher C. Bacon. 315 North Seminary St., Madisonville, Ky. ~EXCH7\NGE list — Skins: F. Wo^d Duck; M. Farallone Gormorant; M. Sage Grouse; 2 M, Mallards; M-F, Gad- well; 2 M, Spoonbill: M-F, Eared Grebe; M, Western Grebe; F. Hooded Merganser; M-F, Bl. Cr. Night Heron; M-F, Caspian Tern; M-F, Ring B. Gull; M-F, Forsters Tern; M-F, Avocet; M-F, Wilson Phalarope. Eggs in Sets: Tre- ganzas Blue Heron. 2. 3, 4. 5; R. B. Gull, 2, 3; Farallone Corm, 3. 4; Mal- lard, 5, 7, 8; Gadwall. 7. 8. 9; Cinnamon Teal. 11; Canada Goose. 2; Sage Grouse. 4; Am. Dipper, N.4; Coot. 8; Sand Hill Crane, 2. Dr. A. G. Prill. Scio. Oregon. FOR EXCHANGE — Bird skins, in- cluding Hepburn Rosv Finch. Bohemi- an Waxwing. Merrill Song Sparrow. Merrill Horned Lark. Western Tree Snarrow. Hammond Flycatcher, and others, for eggs in sets. P. R. Decker, "i^na. Wash. T have for EXCH.ANGE sets of egg'= of the following species. A. O. U. Nos : 1. 3. 4, 6. 7, 10. 11, 12, 16, 21, 25. 27. 28. 29, 30, 30a. 31. 31a, 32, 37. 38. 40, 42, 43. 14 47, 48. 51, 53, 54. 58. 59. 63, 65. 70. 71. 72, 74, 75, 80, 81, 81.1, 83. 86, 86a, 104, 106. 107. 114. 114.1. 115. 115.1. 117, 120, 125. 127, 128. 132, 134, 135. 138. 140, 141, 142. 143, 144. 150. 160. 167. 169, 172, 172a. 172c. 174, 178, 179, 184, 185. 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, 192. 194. 194b, 196, 199. R. M. ^arnes. Lacon. 111. FOR EXCHANGE — Fine sets of 327. 330. 360c, 364. 405, 445, 479 and 551; also many common ones. Will collect mammal skins to order. Desire sets or bird skins. Harold H, Bailey, Miami Beach. Florida. Jun. 3t Will exchange or pay cash for a f(>w s'nall native or foreign mounted birds needed to fill collection. Also plains if properly prepared for mount- ing. Send list and prices. L. W. Speer. Taxidermist, Sac City, Iowa, FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — A col- lection of some ten thousand stamps, on separate sheets for each country. Want bird skins for all or nart. Gus. Langelier, Cape Rouge, Que., Canada. We need Volume 36. No. 11 of The Oologist. Whitman Davis, Librarian, General Library, A. & M. College, Miss. EXCHANGE — 1 complete set of North Western School of "Taxidermy lessons, \alue $20.00; what have you? George Carpenter, 746 Lincoln Place. Brooklyn. N. Y. The OoLOGisT. Vol. XL. No. 10 Albion, Js. \., tCT.. Ivs, W LULL No. 438 Owned and Published Monthly) by R. M. BARXKS, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, 111. TAKE NOtTc I£ . SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PKR YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expiies with this issue. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903. at the post office at Albion. N. T., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. INGERSOLL'S EAGLE EGGS In this i.ssue we publish a half tone of a Series of Seventy Golden Eagle Eggs, all personally taken by Albert M. Ingersoll, of Santa Diego, California. The half tones gives but a faint intimation of tlie splendid and l^eautiful appearance of this most re- markable series, many of which it has been the privi- lege of the editor to view. We doubt very ni ch if another equally extensive series exists in this country and certainly no other series of equal size, all taken by one collector, and still remaining in his possession, is known to us. Our own series consists of twenty-five sets of two, and six of three, only one of which had the editor the privilege of personally securing. — R.M.B, 158 THE OOLOGIST NOTES ON THE WHITE-THROATED SWIFT We can truly say that this bird is common to this part of our state in all localities offering cliffs of a suit- able height and character. On the southeastern edge of Platte county and extending into Gorhen county ara the sandstone conglomerate crowned cliffs of the western rim of a stret h of country known as the Goshen Hole. These cliffs will aver- age about 100 feet in height and are composed of a soft chalk rock crowned on the top 10 to 20 feet w:th a sandstone conglomerate. The chalk portions being the softer fall away often leaving the harder sand- stone cropping over it for several feet. The sandstone conglomerate is full c" small pockets and shelves which offer excellent nesting sites for the Prairie Falcon, Sparrow Hawk, Bo'i Wren and Say's Phoebe, while the face of the chalk portions is often a'most obliterated by the nests of the Cl'Tf Swallow and in the cracks our beautiful Swift finds a very safe and almost impregnable nesting site. This 23rd of June three of us inter- ested in trying to locate the nests of this bird spent a most arduous and almost unprofitable day in trying to secure nests. Time and again we would descend the 100 foot cliffs by means of ropes to find ourselves swinging several feet from the face of the cliff where the birds were seen to enter a crack, or where we could come close enough to the cliff to find the crack to be several Inches wide and an unknown depth into the face of the cliff and no nest in sight or so far in the crack as to be un- obtainable. Finally, after several at- tempts, we found a nest in a crack scarcely wide enough to admit an arm and not out of reach of the hand- It contained a clutch of fresh eggs which when first taken were spotted very heav'ly with the stains of vermin. On cleaning, the eggs showed a spotless white, are eliptical in shape, and the average measure is .87 inches by .55 inches. The shells are of a chalky nature and are not glossy. One egg in this set showed a peculiar defect which showed in two small areas in which the shell failed to cover the skin. No Cliff Swallow's nest I ever looked into was so nearly alive with bugs as this nest and how the bird remained on the nest was a mystery to us. We captured the female by cornering her as she did not leave the nest until 1 put my hand in the crevice. The nest itself seemed to be supported in the crack by being jammed into the narrow portion and the old base was of a few buck brush twigs lined with Grouse and chicken feathers. Apparently the nest had been used for about nine seasons as after the first layer of sticks, feath- ers, and filth, came seven successive layers of feathers and filth, and over the last of which there was a fresh layer of feathers (Rhode Island Red chicken) and the eggs. Two weeks before this trip I had noticed seven or eight of the birds flying about the barn of a farmer living about one- half mile from the edge of the cliffs and presumably these feathers in the nest came from his yard, as he is the only farmer in the near neigh- borhood owning Rhode Island Red chickens. It was impossible to tell if the original twigs of buck brush had been cemented together as in the case of the nest of the Chimney Swift owing to the fact of decay. This nest was 60 feet from the bottom of the cliff and 50 feet from the top. We observed unobtainable nests in crev- ices from 25 feet from the bottom of cliffs to 6 feet of top, but no nesting sites seemed chosen on cliffs of less THE OOLOGIST 159 than ninety feet in height. One nest- ing site was chosen in a crack only 10 feet below the nest of a Prairie Falcon. The birds seem to arrive in this district about the end of April or early May and leave for the South in late August or early September as nearly as I can find out from resident ■! in the localities where the birds are but I have not been in the districts to authenticale these dates. May 6th, the birds were in vast numbers about the cliffs as 1 found when searching for Frairie Falcon nests. August 24th the birds were still pres- ent on the sandstone cliffs of the Ncrih Laramie river, elevation 8,000 feet which would lead me to believe they would still be present oa the cliffs of the rim of the Goshen Hole, elevation 5,500 feet- No bird I know so delights the eye with its wonderail grace and speed of flight as this black and white aeronaut. If one has had a l)ullet pass close to one's head, one gets exactly the same impression when one of these birds come from behind you at close range. Their harsh twittering seems to be out of place in a bird so gifted in grace of flight. Few birds seem to embody the very spirit of restlessness as does the White-throated Swift as he skims and darts about the cliffs. James A. Neilson, Wheatland. Wyo. BANK SWALLOWS By chance, while hunting herbs, 1 found a small colony of Bank Swal- low in a small gravel pit. There were perhaps a dozen pairs all told. I examined the nests, or rather bur- rows, and was greatly surprised to find they run way in, so I procured a long root and thrust it in each bur- row and found them, yet unfinished, to vary from three feet to over six feet, and average three or four inches across; they varied in the direction back in the bank, which was a loose sandy and gravelly soil. They started usually straight back, maybe come to a Etone or very hard place and then swerve to right or left, down or up, and then turn again a little further In as far as I could reach, so the back end must have been three feet be- low the entrance. Another almost from the start turned to the right raid raised about two inches to the foot, run about a yard, only about six inches back from the face of the bank, then turned in and up a little steeper, yet not straight back, for a consider- able distance. Any little obstacle seemed to change their course. In no case was the nest placed back over twelve or fourteen inches from the entrance, always higher than the entrance, and placed in a hollow. Nest built of dry grass and lined with chicken feathers and Swallow feathers; they had to go over a half mile for the chicken feathers. I fail to see why they do so much digging as they only retreat a few inches back of the nest if frightened, and do not use the back tunnel for a store room. George W. H. vos Burgh. Columbus, Wis- 160 THE OOLOQISt < E - O E (0 «- s- O HP^^H^' (0 a; tH£ OOLOQiSt 161 NOTES FROM THE OZARK MOUNTAINS Mrs. Ncft' and I have recently re- turned irora a ten days' trip into tlie heart of the Missouri Ozarks, spend- ing our time along the James River in and around the vicinity of Cape I"a;r. While the trip was not pre- emineiitly a bird trip, we still ob- served quite a sizeable list of bird;, of that let-o 1 during the ten days vvhich were Irom July IStli to 27th in- clusive. Cape Fair is in Stone Coun- ty, Missouri, about the center of a huse bend in the scenic James River. Cur cairp was situated on the bank ol' the Jamc", the river on which the '.an:ous 125 mile Galena-to-Branso i . ioat io be^un. Finding the river r o:::e two feet over normal, and :..uddy from a recent rain on its head v.aters, we spent most of our time loafing about camp and watching the birds that came along the banks and woods near our camp. Later as the water cleared out we fished some, and watched the floaters go by on their way to Branson. A few side trips of exploration were made along neighboring gulches and on to the bluffs along the river. It is a place that has many things to offer to the eye which seeks beauty- We never tired of the wildness and scenic beauty of the country, even though it is the Ozarks that are so famous as a joke elsewhere in our state and nation. The drive overland from Marion- ville to Cape Fair is somewhere in the vicinity of thirty-five miles. For fifteen miles we drive south across more or less roughly rolling hill.s. Then for a distance we follow a small stream to its larger partner, cross the latter on a bridge, and drive for miles down the ridge running between the smaller creek and the James River. Along this ridge road one encounters some of the highest points in the Ozark region, and the outlook is great. We rolled along on very fair roads through mile.s of forest, then through miles of tomato patches, for the rais- ing of tomatoes is a staple industry there. Because of the difference in topog- raphy between the sections traversed V' reaching the camp site, our l)ird list is varied considerably; Irat is very fairly representative of our sum- mer bird life. The Great Blue Heron was strangely absent on the James this summer; however, it was seen on the smaller creek on the 13th of July. C roc 1 Hero 10 were abundant and very ta.rc. We could place our boat with- in a few of them before they would even notice our presence. The Bob- white seems to be more than usually common in the fields along the bot- to:r,s, and is very fairly proportioned over a'l the territory traversed. The Mourning Dove is very common throughout the territory covered, and could be heard every day from its seat in the top of some huge deadened tree. Turkey and Black Vultures were both fairly common, the former the more so, and were seen best from the top of the ridges, along the ridge road, where their soaring flight was a little more on the altitude of the road. Red-tailed Hawks were seen and heard every day screaming their war cry from the hills. Sparrow Hawks are common along the river, but were not seen this trip for some reason. Screech Owls were common nightly visitants and made the night hideous from a willow bar In front of the tent. Barred and Great Horned Owls are both resident there, but the shoal in front of the tent made such a noise that our ears could not catch their cry, as their range was some two or more miles away. 162 THE 00L0QI8T Belted Kingfishers and their neigh- bors, the Bank and Rough-winged Swallows, are less common than usual this season. The rivers have been out of their banks several times since nesting season began; and since the banks along the streams are not of any great height at any time, the high waters of this breeding season have kept the three species above men- tioned from their usual nesting sites. Never before have I seen as few birds of either of the three species at this reason of year on the rivers of this section. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo could be heard at almost any time and place along the river or among the hills. It is very widely and evenly distrib- uted in this section. Of the Wood- peckers, we found that all of Mis- souri's most common species were there in quite an abundance. Hairy, Downy, Red-headed, Red-bellied, Pi- leated, and the Flicker. All were in fair measure regularly distributed throughout the territory covered in our drives. Nighthawks were seen occasionally flying across the skyline. Chuck-wills-widow seemed to be in great majority, as three or more dif- ferent birds could be heard every night. Chimney Swifts were a common sight in the air, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were very abundant in the vicinity of our camp. Of the Flycatcher family we saw many King- birds, Crested Flycatchers, Phoebes, and several Pewees, though not so many as the former three. A few Pra"r'e Horned Larks were seen on the prairie section of our drive, but of cour e, none were seen along the wooded river bottoms. Blue Jays wi^re seen all alon? the trip, but are not ijre.sent in any prcat nnmb.r- a* this season. Crows were abundant and very noisy; we could not fail to find them, as the immature young birds kept up a continual clatter. Cowbirds were as usual common everywhere, as is common with most pests. One or two pairs of Red-winged Blackbirds were seen along the small- er creek (by name Carney's Branch; it drains into Flat Creek, which in turn drains into James River just above Cape Fair) but they are not common this seaaon even in their ac- customed haunts where last season they were abundant- Meadowlarks were found common on the uplands, and not at all scarce along the bot- tom lands. The Orchard Oriole was not seen after we left the upland ridges and the level prairie region. A few Bronzed Grackles strayed across our path on the ridges. Goldfinches were common at every point of the trip. The English Sparrow occupies even the very most remote hollow trees in the depths of the hills. Chip- pys ard Field Sparrows are also com- mon along the river as well as on the uplands. The Towhee was found abundantly along the river. Cardinals were pres- ent in amazing abundance, seeming to have produced well this season es- pecially along the river. We seemed to find no willow thicket or ravine without its quota of Redbirds. Sev- eral pairs of Blue Grosbeaks were oth seen and heard. All of them showed a preference for upland brushy pastures. The Indigo Bunt- ing is more common than ever be- fore; never have we feen so many of these gaudy little birds. Dickcissels rre rather common on all parts of the trip, although more so in the real pra'rie regions than in the wooded cp"*ions. Pnrple Martins are com- mnii. for no native of the hills fails to havp his small Martin box. Barn Swallows were seen at a few points THE OOLOGIST 163 An Oriole's Nest. Drawing by Leda W. Chace, Lawrenceville. Pa. i6i THE OOLOGIST en route to the river. Bank and Rough-winged Swallows were very scarce this summer, for the reasons mentioned before. One or two Mi- grant Shrikes were seen on the drive, but they are not abundant. I had the interesting sight of lying under a papaw bush and watching two busy Red-eyed Vireos search its top for insects. They were at no time over four feet from my head, and I had an excellent view of these birds which are very abundant in all the woodlands of the Ozarks. A pair of Yellow-throated Vireos frequented the spring and its surrounding heavy woods and shrubbery. White-eyed Vireos were heard at intervals, but were loath to appear in open view. Of the three species, the former is by far the commonest. Black and White Warblers are most abundant breeders along the two streams that we visited this season. They are a common sight in all the woodlands, even on the uplands, where they have strayed after nest- ing in the bottom timberlands. Yel- low Warblers were not seen after we left the more open uplands, especially after passing out of the orchard sec- tions. The Sycamore Warbler was seen once. It is not uncommon on the river. Louisiana Water-thrushes were abundant and tame. We had an excellent chance to observe them, with their wag-tail manner of teeter- ing back and forth. One frequented the spring; we never went after water without finding him sitting on a rock in the spring branch teetering all about the narrow run until we got close enough for him to take alarm. A very companionable bird made us a visit in camp twice. This bird came up over the high bank and fed for some minutes about the camp fire, the Ford (for which he showed no concern), and all about the tent and breakfast table, showing no concern for us even when just a few feet away from us. The Kentucky Warbler was common, but was hard to find because of its habit of frequenting low and damp places in the deep undergrowth. Maryland Yellow-throats and Yellow- breasted Chats were rather common, being more abundant along the small- er creeks and on the prairie region than along the deeper river. The Redstart is very common everywhere. Mockingbirds, Thrashers and Cat- birds are all abundant even along the river in the wildest place. The former is the , least common of the three species. Without them this regioj would be to a great extent songless for most of the summer sea- son. The creek bottoms and all along the river never failed from day light till dark to ring with the call of the Carolina Wren. It was present singly and in grown families; it overran the camp and the wooded bottoms. A few Bewick Wren were seen, but none along the river. Most of them were in the vicinity of dwell- ings along the road. One or two birds I saw which I am sure were Prairie Marsh Wrens, but there were so many Carolinas that we spent little time trying to find out which were which. White-breasted Nuthatches were a most common sight; this region is very thickly populated in the creeping birds of that nature. Tits and Chicka- dees are also extremely abundant throughout the section covered, being about evenly distributed over all sec- tions of the country hereabouts. The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a fairly com- mon summer resident; a few of them were seen and heard on our trip; they frequent the higher woods and ridges more than the bottoms; they are also rather common in the orch- ard section. Wood Thrushe.'^ are more common than usual this summer. One fine pair nested on the hillside behind our THE OOLOGIST 166 camp, and such concerts as we did have all day long every day. Robins were not uncommon along the river, and were abundant elsewhere. Blue- birds were abundant everywrere, and a source of delight to watch and listen to. Although the list is rather small, I feel that with a few more days on the river we would have increased it materially. Johnson Neff, Marionville, Mo- AUTUMN MIGRATIONS One October day, I saw an unusual migration of Bluebirds, at least it seemed unusual to me. I had been at- tracted by the appearance of a Phoebe In the grapevine trellis outside and going to investigate, found other birds gathering in the many maples around our home, and also in the yellow wil- lows bordering the brook. Those in the willows proved to be Yellow Warblers and scattered around in other places were more. This was enough to excite my curiosity so I walked carefully through the thick carpet of newly fallen autumn leaves, and searched the treetops for birds. On a limb sat a Bluebird, its pink breast could scarcely be distinguished from the coloring of the leaves, and in the road was another busily en- gaged in threshing the life out of a moth. Led on by these. I was guided across the road to the orchard, where I found many, many more. Suddenly up from every tree and fence arose small flocks of these Bluecoats all, seed- filled and preened for a southward flight. I stood in awe as I realized the unusual number, and I began to count as fast as I could, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five, forty, forty-five and fifty, and still they con- gregated up there in the vastness of sky spaces. The call of the leader, which seemed to say "Come on, come on!" had died away, and only tiny black specks were visible to the eye, and soon these vanished in a mist of grey rain clouds. But while I stood gazing, a few stragglers arose, slowly flying, chirping plaintively, "Wait for me-e-e!" The stillness that followed was op- pressive. I was almost breathless, as I became conscious that I had seen what I probably would never see again. The fluttering of many wings, the din of chirps and calls was gone, only a memory remained. Then a little black cricket chirped out from beside a grey stone, and a lonely Woodpecker stirred in the old apple- tree, just to let me know that some- thing was alive and breathing in that awful silence. Our Bluebird. God took a bit of heaven's blue. Set with the grey of morning skies. And then He touched your breast a hue He found amid His autumnal dyes. Leda W. Chace, Lawrenceville, Pa. Tioga County. 166 THE OOLOGIST LATE SWALLOWS AT PHILADEL- PHIA According to my migration records, covering 25 years, the average time the Barn Swallow leaves Philadelphia is September 16th, subsequent records are few. The latest dates I have seen the Barn Swallow in this region are: October 10, 1917, Aramingo, Philadelphia, one young bird of the year; October 3, 1915, Pensauken Creek, N. J., one bird. This locality is about six miles east of Philadel- phia, October 2, 1906, Richmond, Phila- OOLOGIST— FIVE delphia. Pa., one bird. However, on October 10, of the latter year at this locality my brother George saw four Barn Swallows. On September 30, 1907, at above locality I saw a flock of 30 Barn Swal- lows, but as a rule my several records later than September 20, have been of individual birds. The Bank Swallow departs from Philadelphia, on the average about the same time as the Barn Swallow- I have but one October (3, 1915) record, that of a bird seen at West Palmyra, N. J., on the Delaware River, about six miles east of Philadelphia. My next latest records are Septem- ber 30, 1905, one bird at Cramer Hill, N. J., on the Delaware River, two miles east of Philadelphia, September 9, 1906, four birds at Prankford, Philadelphia and September 25, 1921, six birds at Richmond, Philadelphia. Richard F. Miller, Philadelphia, Pa. A LONG WINDED WHIPPOORWILL During the spring of '22, I was out staying at my nephew's on the farm, trying in vain to recruit, after various physical misfortunes. During the evening of May 7th, after a fine bright day, I heard the first Whippoorwill calling, for this season, and such a, call, Whip-poor-will, fifty or sixty times at a stretch, given very distinct- ly, and kept up for a long time. Again, during the moonlight evening of the 10th, I heard him repeating the call from sixty to near one hundred times. I heard him again on the 11th and 12th, both moonlight evenings. The last evening he moved farther east. The place where he was is a large woods, mostly oak with underbrush and various plants and vines. George W. H. vos Burgh, Columbus, Wis. ORNITHOLOGICAL WORLD In this locality Catbirds and Robins are on the increase, Bluebirds and Brown Thrashers retiring to the woods. Wood Pewees and Marsh Wrens, almost wanting. Flickers and Red-headed Woodpeckers, Bartram Sandpiper and also the Spotted and Killdeers on the increase. Purple Martins plentiful, Traill's Flycatcher and Great Crested plentiful; Yellow Warblers increasing. Song, Savannah, Swamp, Field and Vesper Sparrows plentiful. Kingfishers and Bank Swal- lows about as usual, Meadowlarks and Bobolinks more plentiful. Western Meadowlark getting well established. Screech Owls and White-breasted Nuthatches holding their own, though hollow trees and nesting boxes are scarce. By the way nesting boxes in the woods are too conspicuous. Blue birds are about as usual though hol- low posts are mostly iron ones 1% inch in diameter. George W. H. vos Bursh. THE OOLOGIST 167 DON JOSE C. ZELEDIN Don Jose C. Zeledin, the most dis- tinguished of Central American Nat- uralists, died in Italy July 16th, 1923, where he had gone on a journey. He was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, March 24, 1846, and was easily the most distinguished Central American ornithologist. His name lives witli Zeledonia cornata and Anomalous oseine, and various other species of bird?. He was the father of Costa Rican ornithology, and a personal friend of Spencer F. Baird, George R. Lawrence and other well known or- nithologists. He was blest with a personalty of great charm, and had a familiarity with the English language seldom ob- tained by Spanish American natural- ists. This brought him with close re- lation with our countrymen of simi- lar tastes. He lived to become one of the wealthie.=t men in Costa Rica. But a few months previous to his death in conversation with me he expressed himself thus: "If I could have one more wish come true, it would be to live a day again in my ragged clothes and with muzzle-bore gun, amidst the forests of Costa Rica." He left a widow, but no children. Austin Paul Smith, San Jose, Costa Rica. An extended obituary of Mr. Zeledin appears in the October issue of The Auk.— R. M. B. THE RESULT OF BEING TOO SCIENTIFICALLY SCIENTIFIC The Auk, Volume XL, October 19th, 1923, pp 716 has the following lament. "As a fellow editor we sympathize fully with the editor of 'Bird-Lore' in the appeal for commendation as well as criticism, which he has presented in a recent editorial. 'Issue after issue,' he says, 'the editor through his own pen or that of his contributors, addresses an unseen, and, as a rule, unresponsive audience. An apparent or actual error is promptly called to his attention but he can assume that he has won the approval of his read- ers only by their failure to critcise.' And then in lieu of commendation from his readers, he proceed to tell us himself, what a thoroughly good magazine 'Bird-Lore' is, and all that he says we would enthusiastically en- dorse." The Auk is supported, sustained and kept going by the annual dues of the Associate Members of the A. O. U. Without this sustaining force there would be no A. O. U., nor any Auk. The Associate Members are nearly all non-professional ornithologists. Elsewhere in this issue as a fellow member of the Cooper Club, we have railed attention to the drift of The Condor. At least 95 out of every 100 persons who are interested in the study of birds, are interested as amateurs, and not over 9 out of every 100 persons have a sufficient educa- tion in the dead languages of the past to follow the various ramifications of our common bird names, like the Robin or Bluebird for instance, tb rough the winding, misty paths of modern scientific ornithological litera- ture. The great majority of the members of the Cooper Club and Associate Members of the A. O. U. pay their dues regularly to keep the thing go- ing, and scan each bi-monthly or fjuarterly publication anxiously for a few pages of bright, crisp everyday bird observations and some good old fashioned American names. At least they look hesitatingly, in the hope I hat some Latin name which by dint of hard application, they have learned 168 THE OOLOGIST to associate with some particular bird, has not been changed since the last issue, and they likewise fearsomely glance through page after page of the current issue lest they find some well known bird friend has been ruth- lessly slaughtered, split, quartered and divided and sub-divided into an endlessly confusing variety of imagery races and sub-species, since they last read anything concerning that par- ticular bird. No, Bro. Editor, The Oologist with all of its crudeness and lack of time on the part of its editor to give it the attention that it really deserves, re- ceives hundreds of commendatory communications from its "silent audi- ence" of subscribers every year. A very large number of these come from some of the best known bird students, observers and collectors in America; this because, we believe in giving to the common everyday in- dividual who helps support this publi- cation, something for his money that he can really read and understand. It is more important to know a bird when you see it — know what its habits are, what it feeds on, where it nests, and where it goes for the winter, than it is to know each one of a half a dozen names that have been applied to this same bird, on which one was last used. Science is supposed to be an ab- stract certainty in its last analysis. Yet in American Ornithology it is gradually degenerating into a positive uncertainty and a general changeable- ness, which truly appalls the lavman, and which confuses the very best of our modern systemists. Witness; the list of the so-called new species, sub-species and varieties of birds lately published in The. Con- dor, and charged against the various originators thereof, and finally re- duced to a score card basis, in which each describer was credited with a certain number of successful descrip- tions, and with a certain number of unsuccessful descriptions, with which he has muddied the waters of our or- nithological literature. — R. M. B. GETTING FARTHER AWAY The editor of The Condor an- nounces "The Phenomenon of Ai- binoism among the birds is now so well known that we doubt the value of printing further records of Al- binos. Indeed, we do not invite further contributions to this maga- zine of such records unless they are accompanied by observations of some significance, such as upon the be- havior of other birds towards abar- rent individuals or upon the results of their breeding." We fear The Condor is becoming so extremely and technically scien- tific that many of its readers will join the "silent audience" referred to in this issue in our comment upon the observations of the editor of The Auk. To our mind the keeping of a con- tinuous record of all known observa- tions of Albinos would ultimately lead to some knowledge on the subject as to which species where most likely to be afflicted with Albinoism. And pos- sibly the percentage of such in- dividuals in the several species might be approximated, likewise the geo- graphic territory in which such Al- binoism might most likely be looked for, and this might possibly lead to some information or suggestion as to what was the cause: climate, feed or what? The columns of The Oologist are open to those desiring to record in- dividual observations of this kind, in fact we invite them. — R. M. B. tHfe OOL06l6r 169 ORIOLE INSTINCT Not only the wonderful weavin together of grass blades, plant stalk 'i\ shredded, and bits of string thaJl! goes into the making of the Baltimore Oriole's nest, but the instinct shown in the selection of some particular tree, one special limb and a branch r darted to holding the nest is mar- velouG to me. Thi ■ specimen nest was rut from an n-ple tree In October, the supple end iT'^nrhe^- were curved towards each other so taut was the weaving, al- fnvh there were loose ends flying about. The cross branch, over which "^overal strands were looped was cut in taking the nest, so there were o:'gi:ir.lly four twigs as main sup- rorts. as well as the prongs. How cr.me the Oriole to know that these twigs huu:i in the right position, to bend, converging to exactly the right d' stance, for a nest thirteen inches around and seven inches deep? Truly the Unknown in the realm of nature extends to us wonders that make Arabian Night's Tales and other fairy lore of childhood very t^me and commonplace. I have noticed many Oriole's ne. ts hanging from some outer tip of an elm branch, high in the air, but this is the only nest 1 ever found in an anple tree, and the only one built low enough to cut off. And the only time I ever saw a Wren enter one, was at this time, when one carried a hand- ful of twigs and placed them end- wise inside, like so many knitting needles inserted into a bag. What the purpose of this was in bird wis- dom I am still guessing. Leda W. Chace. Lawrenceville, Pa. STATEMENT OK OWNERSHIP. MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION, ETC.. REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24. 1912. of The Oologiat. published monthly at Albion, N. f .. for October 1. 1923. s'TATE of ILLINOIS, County of Marshall — ss. Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared R. M a g o o n Barnes, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the owner o) The Oologist, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, manage- ment, etc., of the aforesaid publica- tion for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 443, Pos- tal Laws and Regulations- Publisher, Editor, Mf.naging Editor, and Business Manager, R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. Not a corpor- ation. No stock has evsr been issued. The Oologist is owned exclusively by R. Magoon Barnes. There are no bond aolders, mort- gagers or other security holder, none have ever been issued. R. MAGOON BARNES, Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th day of Otober, 1)23. (Seal) FXY BALL, My commission expires Feb. 16, 1927. 170 THE OOLOGIST SYSTEMATIC BIRD STUDY B}^ Laurence H. Snyder, Cold Springs Harbor, L. I., N. Y. The progress of any science is necessarily limited by the number of trained workers in that science, and by the available apparatus and facili- ties for research. Thus, in general, I.rogroas has been slow. To some ex- tent, especially in experimental work, this has been an advantage, because the work done has been more care- fully and accurately planned and car- ried out where facilities were limited. But as far as general knowledge of a subject is concerned, the more rapidly progress is made and the sooner ac- curate data and facts are accumulat- ed, the more will scientists be able to make use of this general knowledge in advancing the experimental work and the practical applications of the science. All progress in a science comes from the untiring efforts of those who give their time and energy to the advance- ment of that science. The dearth of available men and suitable re.?earch facilities has teen the retarding fac- tor. It is not necessary to discuss the money side of [t now; it is the fact of few workers, not the reason for them, that concerns us here. Thus, prog- ress in astrf^mony is slow because there are few trained astronomers and but few available observatories. In other sciences it has been the same way. So fai- it has been the case in ornithology. All the knowledge oi birds whicl: we have has been gained by the lifelong efforts of a few who have carefilly made and recorded ob- servations But bird study, which is of practicjal and economic importance, need noi be under this handicap. Years o^ training are not necessary to study birds. Everyone with a real love of nature is a possible field worker; all outdoors is the laboratory; every woods offers all the facilities necessary for interesting and instruc- tive research. The word research will frighten some. The very title Systematic Bird Study will scare many. But these are not ogres. Systematic bird study does not mean deep technical study; it does not mean learning a lot of scien- tific terms nor studying comparative anatomy. But it does mean a county- wide co-operative plan of making and recording observations in which any- one can take part. Let me outline such a plan. First, it involves some central agency or "clearing house." Such an association as the National Associa- tion of Adubon Societies might be a possible central office. All data would be sent there for interpretation. Second, it involves the co-operation of many observers in all parts of the country. Bird Clubs, Audubon So- cieties and individual workers can all contribute to the accumulation of data. If each club or worker would pick out a single species, and find out all there was to know about that species over a period of years, and then send in the data in condensed form, perhaps once in five years, our knowledge would grow by leaps and bounds. Many old facts would be verified or disproved, and many new facts learned. For example, let us suppose that a particular club picks out the robin. By observations on all available birds and nests in their lo- cality they would proceed to find out the following facts: Date of arrival (average date over a number of years and the two extremes); sex which ar- rives first; habits on first arriving; time of mating; courtship habits; time of nest building; nest built by male or female or both; time of day at which nest is built; time of first egg; eggs laid on consecutive days or ir- THE OOLOGIST 171 regularly; number of eggs; number of nests per acre In various kinds of land; length of incubation; habits during incubation; frequency of feed- ing young; and other facts about feeding; sex-ratio of young if pos- sible; kinds of food; length of time young remain in nest; dates of changes in feathering; habits after leaving nest; preparation for migra- tion; dates of migration; and many other facts which would come up. Nothing that might add to the knowl- edge of the species would be too trivial to note. Observations must be exact or should not be made at all. Records should be made at the time of observations, never guessed at or written down later from memory. Every available nest of the species should be visited at least once a day. Some observations will take hours of patient watching at a single nest. The work could be divided among the members of a bird club and would provide interesting and productive work. Observations to be valuable, would have to be on large numbers of birds, for a long period of time, and above all, accurate. Although each club or individual only contributed a few observations, the lumping of such data would give results of importance. Of course, the dates of arrival, nest- ing and departure would vary for dif- ferent parts of the country, but the lives and habits would be comparable. The Biological Survey is already starting a systematic plan of pro- cedure by banding birds in all parts of the country. Tliis, however, is mainly with the idea of studying mi- gration. The lives and habits in the summer homes can be carefully and accurately studied in some such way as I have outlined. SAFE Early in September the Press despatches carried a scare head an- nouncement of a serious tidal wave which almost or totally destroyed one of the ports in Lower California, where our friend, Chester C. Lamb, had been writing from. Of course, this aroused in the minds of his friends apprehension, but it is now our understanding that Mr. Lamb was not injured in any way. For all of which we are duly thankful. He is one of the finest fellows with whom we have ever dealt. R. M. Barnes. FISH HAWK KILLS ROBIN? Newspapers are not the only pub'.i- cations that print distorted facts and lies about birds. Books frequently contains ornithological nature freaks, and about one of the worst lies about the Pish Hawk or Osprey 1 found in "The White Islander," by Mary Hart- well Catherwood, (pages 66-67), pub- lished in 1893, by The Century Com- pany, New York City. It i.« dS fol- lows: "A Fish-hawk was dragging a Robin through the water to drown it. Marie has seen the Hawk drop like a stone with its prey. The Fish-hawk, beaten off by the paddle, left the Red- breasted bird, and soared away in- dignant at killing prey for big un- feathered creatures, yet satisfied that its work was well done. The Robin was past fluttering when Henry lifted it out of the water. It was drowned and its neck was broken." Richard F. Miller, Philadelphia, Pa. 172 THE 00L0GI8T BOOKS RECEIVED "A Bibliography of British Orni- thology from the Earliest Times- Supplement — Chronological List o:' British Birds, by H. Kirke Swann, F. Z. S. etc., Weldon & Wesley, Limit- ed, 4 Arthur Street, London. Pub- lished October 1st, 1923. Price 5 Net." This publication of 42 pages is all that its title claims it to be and will be of great service to those interested in the subject, in which it treats, and will be indispensable to those who endeavored to keep up with the vari- ous changes of names inflicted upon our numerous species and sub-species and varieties of birds. The first division of this publica- tion, page IX-XVII gives the date and original reference on which the dif- ferent genera of birds is established, following this P. P. 132 is a Chrono- logical List of British Birds giving the names (the Scientific and Popu- lar) by which each of them are at r resent known and the authority on which the name is based. Pp. 34, is devoted to a list of Generic names which have been discarded, and pp 37-42 a similar list of Specific names; all of which will tend to further en- lighten the student as to the cause of the apparently endless confusion into which bird names have fallen. R. M. Barnes. A Separate from "The Emu," Vol- ume XXIII 1923 pp 4-18, entitled "Comparative Osteology of the Aus- tralian Mud Builders," by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt of Washington, D. C. is an exhaustive review of this subject, thoroughly Scientific — as is the doc- tor's habit when dealing with scien- tific subjects and exhaustive in detail. American Forestry October 19th, 1923, pages 624-30 con- tains a splendid article on the sub- ject of "Grouse and Quail Exhibition in the Bird Hall of the United States Museum," by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, il- lustrated by ten half tones of mount- ed specimens. How in the world the doctor turas out so much and such splendid writ- ing is a source of continual wonder to many of his friends. — R. M. B. R. M. B. THE OOLOGIST Will Exchange personally .aken I'Morida sets for books. Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies. Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will .send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant r^ity. nnrlda. WANTED — To buy Part 3"fo7~Julv 1911 of THE AUK. W. H. Workman, Lismore, Windsor Avenue, Belfast, Ire- land. WANTED^ — To buy collections of Modern In lian Relics, or most anything in beaded buck skin pieces. Best pi'ices p:iid for pieces that I need. Itobert F. Backus, Box 13, Florence. ''i;lorado._ _ WANTED— Back numbers of Bird Lore. Colored plates from Bird Lore. Issues of the National Geographic con- taining "Birds of Town and Country", and "American Game Birds." Lawrence Compton. 40!> W. Webster, Pittsburg-, Kansas. .\rK!r' WANTED — Will pay cash Tor \ciur back numbers which I can use. Please send list with prices. Herbe-t A. Smith, 550 Lee Ave. Webster Groves, Missouri, Rare Indian relic for sale. Plaster Paris mold of Silver Peace medal given to the Ojrbuay tribe by Pres. Jefferson, in 1801, Albert Lano, Fayetteville. Arkansas. BOOKS FOR SALE — Bendire's lITf^ Histories North American Birds, two Vols.; Fisher's Hawks ami Owls; Bailey's Birds of Virginia: Hatch Birds of Minnesota; Wintle's Birds of Mon- treal; Discoris' Ornithologist and Oolo- gist; Caperis' Oology of New England. Copies of Auk. Condor, Osprey, Oologist and many others. W. Raine. 50 Waver- l.v Road^'roronto, Canada. INDIAN RELICS— A fine" line of In- dian Relics for sale cheap. For particu- lars, write to Dr. Thos. Lorang. 10<» East Liberty A\e., Spokane. Wash. P'OR SALE — A copy of A. C. Bent's "Life Histories, Gulls and Terns," a?so "Petrels, etc.." as issued, in paper cov- ers. Make me an offer. H. M. Harii- son. 519 Penn St.. Tamden N ,1 WANTED — Michener's "Insectivorus Birds of Chester County, Pa."; Jacob's "Summer Birds of Greene Countv, Pa."; Pennock's "Birds of Chester County, Pa."; Michener's "Birds of Chester County. Pa.", and Warren's "Dinurnal Rapacious Birds." Will pay cash. State condition and price. Richard F. Miller. 2526 North Second Street, Phila- delphia, Pa. i'^OR EXCH^VNGE OR SVLE— Orni- thnio-?'st & Oologist Volumes 8 :o l.S, .-■n'^i o'ld volu'^"'es and numbers of Orni- thologist & Oologist, Bird-Lore, Auk, Ospi-ey, Nidiologist, Condor, Oologist, and North Anieric n F lun i and report-^, bulletins and otlie- !)i>oI;s on '.irds and mammals. Robert ^^'. V'='-i--^i^. 206 Maple Ave.. Takoma Park, Maryland. FOR EXCHANGE— I have for ex^ change, for skins desired by me a number of Snowy Owl Skins, in all grades of plumage ranging from al- most pure white males to the darkest colored summer females. If you can use these send me your list of dupli- cates. R. M. Barnese. EXCHANGE^^ National GeogTaphic Magazines for Bird Magazines, also will take sets. Send want list. J. Earl Harlow, Texico, Illinois. WANTED— By H. H. Johnson, Pltts^ field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXTII, B; Vol. XXIV, all;JournaI Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI. 4; VII, 1; Nuttall Bulletin. all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornith. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37, 39; N A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Ilwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED — L^pidopters from the T^^'est and South West, especially Splln- gidae Saturniidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay, 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Pbila. W A.N 1 Cooper Bulletin and Condor. Vol. II, all but No. 1 ; Vol. Ill, Nos. 1, 2. 5, 6; Vols. IV to VIII incl.: Vol. XXII, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5; Vol. XXIII, No. 6; Vol. XXIV all but No. 3; Vol. XXV. No. 1. Hoyes Lloyd. 406 Queen St., Ottawa. (~'anada. EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS' EGGS We have just published this work which it took a Committee of well known Oologists, who were elected by The Oologists of North America for that purpose, nearly two years to complete. It is a Volume of two hundred pages, well Ulns- trated, by half tones, showing the advance methods that now obtain in Ooloarv It contains the following special matter. 1. An introduction. 2 A history of Birds' Egg Catalogues. 3. A hlrtorr nr thfe Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. What they mean. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data Blank. 7. Illus- trations of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustrations showing proper cabinet arrangements of specimens. 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty five on prices. 10. Names both common and scientific of all North American Bird.s and Prices adopted for the exchange of specimens of eggs of each 11. Adverti«*»- ments. Paper bound copies $1.00. Cloth bound copies $2.00. R. M BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. THE 00L0GI8T THE WILSON BULLETIN A Biboliograph of scarce or out of A ftl AUTKLLV JOURNAL OF ORMTHOLOGY print, North American Amateur and i>a} iiiK particular attention to Field Studies of Birds la Middle ^^^^^ Periodicals, devoted more or NortI» America. Now in its 28th year. 64 pages or more of readable matter l^ss to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- with illustrations. Indispencable to all active field workers. $1.50 per year, 40 eta. per copy. arate publications. Price 25 cents. Ofticial Organ of THE R. M. BARNES. WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Lacon, III. Address GORDON WILSON, Secretary, 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1923 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1923. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. The Oologist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. No. 11. ALBION, N. Y,, Nov. , li)23. Wholb N().439 THE 00L0GI8T BRIRP <«PBC1AL. AlfNOinVCmilllWTS Wanted. Rxchangre. For Sal«, Htc, Inserted In tU* d«p«rtmMlt at It ••nta for enrh 26 words for one Issue; each additional Trorfl 1 e«nt. Ifo neOM In- serted for less than 26 oentB. We will advertise the skins, nests, e^gs, or mounted apecimena of North Aniar- lean Birds for sale for persona having a lawful authority under tha law f da«l •b the same. These columns are for the use of thoae deatrtn^ to maka bona flde -^xohangra of such specimens for scientlflc collecting purpoaaa only. — JDITOR FOR SALE — One hundred sets of eg-g-s, with full data, of the commoner varieties. Very reasonable. List on application. Henry W. Davis. 10 South Baton Rouge Avenue, Ventnor, Atlantic City, N. J. llt2 ~ FOR SALE — Eggs in sets of A. O. U. No. 123a, 216, 228, 264, 277, 328, 339b, 355, 364, 373d. A-1 condition. Number of eggs in each set and price by return mail. Henry W. Davis, 10 South Baton Rouge Ave., Ventnor, Atlantic City. N. J llt2 FOR sale: — Mounted Birds, Bird Skins, and Mammal Skins, at low prices Will exchange mounted specimens for skins I want. D. V. Hembree, Roswell, Georgia. ll_t2__ FOR DISPOSAL — Complete set of Bird Loire from Vol. 1 to Vol. 16.. for ,S32, prepaid. First eight years are bound witli covers and advs., balance not bound. All in perfect shape; also Bird Lore, Volume four, complete 1902, for $4. Fred M. Dille, Valentine, Nebr. llt3 Miss Kite, White Neck Raven, Swaln- son's Hawk, Least Tern, Snowy Plover and many others in original sets, per- sonal take. What have you to offer? R. L. More. Vernon, Texas. wXnTED — A ^Mounted specimen or skin of Passenger Pigeon. Will give good exchange, or pay cash. O. S. Biggs, San Jose, 111. FOR SALE — 1,000 sets of eggs, about 600 varieties, 1-3 New List Price. All sets first class. B. A. Wheeler, East Randolph. N. Y. "WANTED — Various volumes and numbers of Western Ornithologist, Ore- gon Naturalist, Oologist, Museum, Petrel, Bittern, Bulletin Michigan O. Club. American Ornithology, etc. Rob- ert W. Williams, 206 Maple Ave., Ta- koma Park, Maryland. I do not want to exchan.ge eggs, but would like to exchange letters with bird lovers anywhere. S. A. Grimes, R. 6. Box 391, Jacksonville, Fla. WANTED — For Cash, well marked clutches, 339, 337, also 388, 387, 263, 273. "W^rite first. B. W. Strike, 2 Abingdon, Whitton.J^r. Ipswich, Suffolk, England. SHELL, COLLECTORS and MUSEUMS — A fine lot of the "Liguus or tree snails from the hammocks of Fla. for sale, or will exchange for skins or eggs. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach, Florida^ Jun. 3t Will exchange or pay cash for a few small native or foreign mounted birds needed to fill collection. Also skins if properly prepared for mount- ing. Send list and prices. L. W. Speer. Taxidermist, Sac City, Iowa, WANTED— Sets with nests of North American Warblers; only first class sets wanted. Send for my exchange list. John L. Cole, Nevada, Iowa. 10t3 WANTED — Am building a Museum and desire to secure through exchange or purchase, skins, nests, eggs or mounted specimens of North American Birds, sets of eggs with nests especial- ly desired. Can use many common varieties. Also want Indian Relics, Shells, minerals and Butterflies. Brasher C. Bacon, 315 North Seminary St., Madlsonville, Ky^ EXCHANGE LIST — Skins: F, Wood Duck; M, Farallone Gormorant; M, Sage Grouse; 2 M, Mallards: M-F, Gad- well; 2 M. Spoonbill; M-F, Eared Grebe; M, Western Grebe; F, Hooded Merganser; M-F, Bl. Cr. Night Heron; M-F, Caspian Tern; M-F, Ring B. Gull; M-F, Forsters Tern; M-F, Avocet; M-P, Wilson Phalarope. Eggs In Sets: Tre- ganzas Blue Heron, 2, 3, 4, 5; R. B. Gull, 2, 3; Farallone Corm, 3, 4; Mal- lard. 5, 7, 8; Gadwall, 7, 8, 9; Cinnamon Teal, 11; Canada Goose, 2; Sage Grouse, 4; Am. Dipper, N.4; Coot, 8; Sand Hill Crane, 2. Dr. A. G. Prill, Sclo, Oregon. ATTENTION — We will collect any type of specimens In exchange for Lepidoptera, U. S., Foreign. Associated Butterfly Collectors, W. E. Dickinson, Sec, 573 Lake Drive, Milwaukee, Wis. llt2 FOR SALE or EXCHANGE — A col- lection of some ten thousand stamps, on separate sheets for each country. Want bird skins for all or nart. Gus. Langeller, Cape Rouge, Que., Canada. We need Volume 36. No. 11 of The Oologist. Whitman Davis, Librarian, General Library, A. & M. College, Miss. EXCHANGE — 1 complete set of North Western School of Taxidermy lessons, value $20.00; what have you? George Carpenter, 746 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. For two years I have been working on a collection of the Raptores (Accipi- tres) of the world. What have you for exchange? Only first class sets wanted. Ralph W. Jackson. Route No. 1. Cambridge. Maryland llt3 FOR EXCHANGE — Bird eggs, bird and animal skins, mounted specimens, butterflies and moths of Northern Ohio, for those of other regions. Will sell at reasonable prices to those wishing mounted specimens for school, office or home decoration and have nothing to exchange. Will mount specimens sent by mail. C. F. Zuercher, Sugarcreek. O. WANTED — Subscriptions for all Mag- azines, at greatly reduced prices. Miss Fay Ball, Lacon, Illinois. The OoLOGisT. Vol. XL. No. 11. Albion, N. Y., Nov., 1923. Wholk N(j. 439 Ovrned and Published Monthly, by R. M. BARXES, Albion, N. Y., and JLacon, 111. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expires with this issua Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Albi'on. N. T., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. At last the Editor is on the job and we are cndcaxoring to catch up schedule with THE OOLOGIST. It is hoped and be- lieved that the Decem])er issue will reach our subscriber- very early in that month. We have for that issue a very perfect and very unusual plate of the very rare eggs of The Mexican Jacana. It would please the Editor very much if renewals of sub- scriptions for 1924 would l)e mailed promptly, and ot course any one wishing to send THE OOLOGIST to a nature loving friend, either old or young, would not be refused the privilege of so doing, if the communication and remittance requested such mailing. In fact we appreciate every boost, for you all know that the publication of THE OOLOGIST. is a labor of love and without financial gain to the present management. Xe.xt year THE OOLOGIST will travel along the well beaten path wdiich it has traversed for the past forty years and more, probably no better, certainly no worse. The good- ness of it depending upon the liberality of our readers in contributing copy. — R. M. Barnes. 174 THE OOLOGIST NESTING OF THE CASPIAN TERN AND THE SNOWY HERON By Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, C. M. Z. S., Fellow of the Amer. Ornithol. Union. A number of our terns breed along the great stretch of coast of southern Louisiana which is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and among them we meet with the Cas- pian or Imperial Tern (Sterna caspia). As to the nidification of this fine spe- cies, Coues stated in his "Key to North American Birds" in North America it is irregularly distributed, not only dur- ing the extensive migrations but also during the breeding season; known to breed at various points on the Atlantic Coast from Texas, in the interior, from Great Slave Lake to Lake Michi- gan, Nevada and California, but sel- dom observed on the Pacific Coast. Eggs 2-3, in hollow scooped in dry sand without nest, 2.65—2.75x1.80— 1.90, broader and more elliptical than those of S. maxima, with smoother and harder shell; ground color pale olive-buff, evenly marked all over with small spots of dark-brcwn and laven- der. Breeds commonly by single pairs. (Key to N. A. Birds, Ed. V., vol. II, p. 1005). Quite recently Mr. Edward A. Mc- Ilhenny, of Avery Island, Louisiana, kindly presented me with a beautiful series of photographs of certain birds and their nests as they occur in southern Louisiana; among them is one of the nest of the Snowy Heron and another of a beach scene on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, where some seventeen Caspian Terns had deposited their eggs — that is, there are about that many indicated in the picture herewith reproduced. Pre- sumably the colors of these were as described above by Coues, and this likewise applies to what he stated about their form. The three beautiful sets in the lower right hand corner of the cut distinctly show the exca- vation, in each case, made by the bird In which she deposited her eggs. In most all the others the eggs appear to have been laid direct on the hard sand, with no attempt to make a hol- low in it. As thus deposited it is quite evident that these eggs are at the mercy of any bird or mammal that cares to feed upon them, and doubtless such depredations frequently happen. I met with Caspian Terns breeding in the Floridas and Bahamas Islands as far back as the spring of 1864, and there were thousands of them, it be- ing the days antedating those of the "plume hunters." A number of other species of Terns, Gulls, Skimmers, and others, resorted to the same lo- calities for the same purpose. On Doublehead Shots Key the eggs of such birds were deposited in such numbers and in such close proximity to each other, that one had to be very careful how he stepped around among them lest he crush them under foot. As will be noted in the accompany- ing illustration, the Snowy Herons had built their nest in the thick foli- age of a "black mango tree," and de- posited it in four bluish white eggs. The nest of this bird is truly a very rough and ready structure, rather af- ter the order of a nearly flat platform, the basic portion being composed of very coarse, shortish sticks, with still shorter and more slender ones for the lining, there being no soft material whatever used for the latter. A great many lovely blossoms, apparently of the tree upon which this nest rests, are to be seen all about it — silent testimonials to the taste of the build- er. The description of the eggs of our American Herons left us by Coues are quite unsatisfactory and inexact, while he is correct when he states that the nest is always "a large flat rude struc- ture of sticks." It is a well known THE OOLOGISt 176 #' ?^ 4 > ■■,*' r^ Eggs of Caspian Tern Photo for Dr. Shufeldt, 176 THE 00L06IST fact that a clutch of eggs of any one of our smaller Herons contains a greater number of eggs than does a clutch of any of the largest species; in the latter they run from two to four and in the former from five to six. In closing the present brief article, it will interest many ornithologists and others to learn that Mr. Mcllhenny has established at New Iberia, Louis- iana, "The Louisiana Gulf Coast Club"; it commands a reservation of some 100,000 acres, and has 75 miles of Gulf Coast line. It is the largest tract of land in the United States devoted to wild life conservation as well as to a resort for sportsmen. There are some wonderful publications issued by this Club, the illustrations of which are extremely interesting, and it under- takes to supply these gratis to appli- cants, requests being mailed to the Chicago office, 623 South Wabash Avenue. Those interested in the pro- tection of our birds should surely send for these publications. RECENT EXPEDITION TO LOS CORONADO ISLANDS, MEXICO By Alfred Cookman, M. S., Depart- ment of Science, San Diego High School,' San Diego, California On April 29th, the writer and his wife and a troop of Boy Scouts steamed out of San Diego harbor for a cruise to the Coronado Islands, Old ■ Mexico. There are four small islands ; located 25 miles southwest of San "Diego and twelve miles off the Lower California peninsula in the Pacific Ocean. The largest island "Dead Man's Island" lies further south, and North Island "Corpus Ohristi" is five miles to the north. The remaining two are mere mountain peaks barely protruding out of the sea. The Coronado archipelago are the protruding peaks of an otherwise sub- merged mountain chain that was once integral with the main land some time during the tertiary or quater- nary periods. They are the famous breeding grounds of the California Brown Pelican (Pelicanus calif orni- cus), the Socorro Petrel (Oceanodro- ma socorrensis), the Farallon Cor- morants (Phalacrocorax auritus albo- ciliatus), Brandt Cormorant (Phal- acrocorax penicillatus), the Xantus Murrelet (Brachyramphus hypoleu- cus), the American Raven (Corvus corax sinuatus) and the San Nicho- lac Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus pulverius). Western Gulls are every- where on the islands. They breed here in great colonies among the ice plants on the leeward side of the islands and among the jagged rocks near the summits. On the way over to the islands several of the Boy Scouts became ex- ceedling ambitious to study the marine gardens judging from the fre- quency in which their heads were con- tinually over the side of tihe boat. We arrived on South Island at noon. Our little Launch steamed into the cove in due time. A shout burst forth from the boys' throats. We landed on the leeward ledge at the south side of the cove. This is the only safe landing place on the is- land. Everywhere the surging sea is pounding away at the cliffs and it would be suicidal to attempt to land a skiff on the port side or at south point. Seal lions are numerous and they enjoy the rough, surging sea on the port side. They would go tobog- ganing into the sea when our boat would circle the island and when the captain blew the whistle. The adults would leave their babies on the guano-covered ledges under the stare of the noon-day sun. Our first interest upon landing was THE 0OL0QI6T 177 Nest and Eggs of the Snowy Heron Photo for Dr. Shufeldt. 1>8 THE 00L0QI8T to visit pelican point and to see the brown pelican at home. The boys were wild to see baby cormorants and infant pelicans. It took us an hour to reach the point, scaling cliffs and crags, and dodging cacti bushes and looking out for rattle snakes. We were informed that the island was alive with Pacific Coast rattlers. From one point, we counted 56 neists containing young pelicans in all stages of development. Very few nests contained eggs. I brought back nine sets of California Brown Pelican eggs (Pelicanus Californicus). They were all advance, but I managed to blow them with some degree of satis- faction. I also brought back a young pelican about four weeks old — No. 7773, male. We returned to the launch late in the afternoon. The boys saw their first infant cormorant in an rookery near the water's edge. They are cer- tainly queer looking birds. The nests are well placed on guano-covered ledges on the most precipitous cliffs. A young Brandt Cormorant looks like a young ladies black kid glove turned inside out and covered with axle grease. On the way back to San Diego, we counted up our list of birds and found that we had recorded 17 species and 37 varieties of wild flowers. We will never forget the pleasant outing that we experienced on the Los Coronados Islands, Old Mexico. We arrived in the harbor as the golden sun was set- ting and the shadows of evening were creeping over the sea. GOOD WORDS I am writing to show my apprecia- tion of the "Oologist," and to congrat- ulate you on some of the real fine articles of recent publication. I can assure you it is read here with great interest from cover to cover. There is only one fault, there is not enough, although for the money it gives the greatest value. B. W. Strike, 2 Abingdon, Whitton, Nr. Ipswich, Suffolk, England. BOOKS RECEIVED THE BIOLOGY OF BIRDS, by J. Arthur Thomson, published by the Macmillan Company, New York. Price $5.00. This volume of more than four hun- dred pages is a splendid contribution to the subject referred to by the title. It is illustrated with one colored plate and fifty-nine drawings scattered through the text, besides eight half- tone plates. The text as the title would suggest is devoted to a careful analysis of the adaptation of birds to the various surroundings in which they are found; discussing the characteristics of birds, . the external features, food, its capture and utilization, internal economy, haunts, migration, courtship, eggs, parental care and nesting, senses, in- stincts, intelligence, pedigree, evolu- tion and birds in the web of life, and true the author has given exhaustive study to these subjects and has set forth very -much that" ls-.> interesting and that will be of use to the bird student.— R. M. B. THE OOLOCIIST 179 K. B. MATHES G. A. Abbott, now at Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, writes us the sad news, concerning the death of Mr. K. B. Mathes, well known to the Bird Fra- ternity and many years a staunch supporter of The Oologist. "I write to tell you about the sud- den and unexpected passing away of K. B. Mathes. Two weeks ago today I was a guest at his home in Batavia, N. Y., and enjoyed his hospitality very much. A few weeks ago he visited me in Port Allegany and we have been very much interested in each other's collections. Last Thursday, Mr. Mathes, wjiile waiting to be served at a dining room table in Olean, N. Y., 27 miles from here, was, a victim pf a paralytic stroke. He was rushed to- the Higgins Memorial' Hospital and died Saturday. He has two sons in college, one daughter at home, and the other daughter was the librarian at the Dayton Ohio Public Library. Mr. Mathes was one of the most active men that I ever met. In addition to, owning a business that in- volved the handling of thousands of seashells, he made articles for aquar- iums and souvenir novelties; he also manufactured machinery and prepara- tions of his own invention. He tra- velled nailes over ledges and rocky river beds yith hammer and stone chisel collecting geological specimens. His method of preparing and mount- ing butterflies and insects was the most artistic and practical that I ever saw. He had beautiful cabinets of his own make and had a wonderful collection of paintings from the mas- ter artists and was just recovering from the financial setback he experi- enced during the World War. He showed me a beautiful piece of prop- erty which he had purchased and his plans, had he lived to carry them in- to effect, would have involved the erection of a residence on the site with several fire proof rooms devoted entirely to his own museum. He was a man in the prime of life and ap- parently in good health." G. A. Abbott. THE WOODCOCK IN MISSOURI Either the Woodcock are increas- ing very much or I am a little more than usually lucky this summer. My father has lived in this immediate vicinity for fifty-four years. He re- members seeing an Ivory-billed Wood- pecker within a short distance from where our home now is. He hunted Passenger Pigeons and Wild Turkeys all over the timberlands that are now the best of Marionville apple district, wihich is admittedly the leading apple township in the state. But in all that time he saw but one or two Wood- cock. For some five years I have heard of Woodcock being seen in our coun- ty. Chums of mine told of hitting one with a rock, but failed to bring me any sign of the bird to identify. Finally I saw many of them along the shores of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. On October 19th, 1922, I was at work with a gang of Missouri Ag. College boys west of Columbia, Missouri. We were getting ready for our annual Barnwarmin', at which the only dec- oration is corn fodder and frost colored brush. Having a class I left the gang and cut across the woodlot, following a small woodsy stream. I flushed two finely colored woodcock along the stream. They were my first in the state. This spring was very wet here, and as our land is not well drained it stood in water for many days. Being a bird-bander, and having some traps set, I went out one eve to look thcni over, and as I came along the chicken- 180 THl OOLOdliT run fence, in an inch, or two of water I flushed a woodcock. He rose up through the trees nearly fifteen feet straight up, and I saw him plainly. That was on April 3rd. Then again on April 15th I again flushed a wood- cock within twenty feet of the same spot. This is within thirty yards of the house, too. Later the rains were gone, but there was a lot of water standing about on the top of the ground. I came through the same place and flushed the woodcock again from the chicken yard. This time it was very light, and the bird only flew a few yards. I howled for Dad, and we followed it up flushing it the second time that Dad might be con- vinced tihat it was a real woodcock. I am at loss to explain its presence here until that date — June 18th, as it should have been nesting. I suppose the great amount of marshy land, due to the heavy rains, attracted it for a longer time than usual. Johnson A. Neff, Marionville, Missouri. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK On April 10, 1916, 1 started for the woods in search for nests and after about two hours walk I came to a farm house. The farmer was very friendly to me and upon telling him that I was searching for birds' nests, he began telling me that in the woods a quarter of a mile north there were a pair of hawks that nested there for the past ten years and he was sure that the nest was pretty well in the thicket, for he had seen the birds there a few days ago. I thanked him very much and at once started for the place. I soon got to the woods where the ihawks were and after a short searcih I noticed one of the birds flying above the tree tops and when I got to the place where I had seen the bird I discovered a nest about forty feet up in a red oak tree. I now took my bird glasses and looking at the nest I could see a few feathers on the out- side rim of the nest. I now put on my climbers and fastened my egg box and folding hand camera to my belt and slowly ascended the tree. On reaching the nest I found four white eggs, variously bloched and spotted with different shades of brown. The nest was made of sticks, lined with fine roots, grass, etc. I now climbed about five feet above the nest and took a photo of the nest and eggs. After this I climbed down to where the nest was and took the eggs, one at a time, and rolled each in a layer of cotton and put them in my egg box, and after I got to the bottom of the tree I also took a photo of the tree which contained the nest. I was very glad to procure this set for red-shouldered hawks are con- sidered as rare in LaPorte county. C. F. Pahrman, 1011 4th Street LaPorte, Ind. CANADA NOTE The Summer Birds have all de- parted except the Waterfowl. On a walk today I noticed only residents, Chicadees, Ruffed Grouse, and a Hawk Owl. Snowflakes have been here since the 19th and I saw a Redpoll and a Rosy Finch this morning. My total score of game birds this season, is one Mallard, so that in a country which teemis with ducks and grouse, I am not leaning very heavy on them. A. D. Henderson, Belvidere, Alta., Canada. THE OOLOQidt 181 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD For two or more months during the Fall of 1910, a male Ruby-throat Hum- ming Bird visited my yard nearly every morning and evening. The at- traction was a dense growth of Sal- vice of Scarlet Sage of which the Hummers are very fond. This little bird became quite tame and would perch on a rose bush or wire fence within a few feet of where I would be working and seemed to consider me as a part of the environ- ment and not to be feared. A little later he grew to consider the grounds as his special territory and resented the intrusion of other birds or an- imals. The presence of my little white French Poodle dogs he decidedly re- sented, and would fly down on their backs in a fury, frightening them not a little. One evening a fine large Humming- bird moth flew into the yard and com- menced getting its supper from some late flowering Perennial Phlox. The Hummer at once got busy and began investigations. Buzzing over the moth for a short time, he flew into a rage and made a fierce attack, utter- ing its little squeaky notes, as though it would say, "You are a bogus hum- mingbird. Get out of my yard." The moth returned in a few mo- ments to some flowers a few rods away, but was again attacked and driven away for good. He was a fine large specimen in brilliant plumage and I would have liked to add him to my collection of scientific skins, but had no heart to take the life of this beautiful little visitor. Dr. W. S. Strode, Lewistown, 111. A BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER NEST One fine morning in May, this spring, I was trying very hard to lo- cate one nest at least of several pair c .' Canadian Warblers that were nest- ing in a part of a large swamp. This part had had most of the larger trees chopped off and the new growth was mainly different buiho.? like blue- berry and wild plum. To find the ne t of a Canadian, as good a way as any, is to sit down somewhere near v,'here the male sings the most and hcpe to catch th? female going to the nest with building material. Such v.aT ray occupation when I noticed a rmall bird hopping about in a last years Crow's nest in a pine about 20 ft. up. Through the glasses the bird was identified as a female Black and White Warbler. At first I did not know what she was doing. She would go down into the bottom of the nest, which although flattened by use, was deep enough to conceal her. Then she v.ould re-appear hopping around en top on the sticks, but when I saw her depart with her bill full it dawned upcn me that she was getting ma- terial for her own nest. After watching her for quite a while I went over to the bog I noticed she vvent to most, but could not find a nest. From behind a nearby bog I discovered, after a good long wait, that after flying down from the pine to the bog, she flew along, low down, about twenty feet to where the nest was concealed under the over hang on another blueberry bog. She was just starting to line her nest and the material she was get- ting from the old Crow's nest was similar to what she would use or- dinarily. A few days later I watched her still selecting material from the Crow's »est. Was unable to go to the nest at the right time being a few 182 THE OOLOQISt days late, and then found her sitting on four of her own eggs (one slightly dented) and two of a Cowbunting. This parasite can find a nest to lay in even in a swamp. The Black and White nest both where the ground is damp and where it is dry here. They are one of the first Warblers to come in the spring. A very common breeder, but finding a nest is pure luck as a rule. Never having seen one securing nesting ma- terial from such a source, made the sight of unusual interest, but as I have only seen a small percent of the Black and Whites in the world, do not mention this as a record, but rather as unusual. R. I. Giles, Marlboro, Mass. NESTING HABITS OF THE BROAD- WINGED HAWK With the exception of the Sparrow Hawk and of the Redtail, the Broad- winged Hawk is the most abundant breeding hawk in this part of Alberta. It is of a retiring disposition and seldom seen out of the woods dn which it breeds. I first became ac- quainted with it in the Spring of 1913 and recognized it immediately, chiefly from the de.scription of its note as re- sembling that of the Wood Pewee, given in Fisher's Hawks and Owls of the United States. This note has rather a mournful sound and my ren- dering of it is Pick-ee or Chick-ee. Often this call of the birds is the first intimation you have that a nest is not far off, and it is usually easily found, after you have located one of the birds, in the breeding season. The Broad-wing does not frequent such heavy timber as the Goshawk and the nests are usually at no great height from the ground. Those I have taken were from about fifteen to forty feet up, the majority being be- tween fifteen and twenty-five feet. Sometimes a new nest is built and at others an old nest is repaired and usually the nest used the previous year will be found at no great dis- tance away. While a nest is being taken, both birds remain in the vi- cinity, flying from tree to tree, and calling Chick-ee or Pick-ee at inter- vals. They never offer to attack the climber like the Goshawk. They are late breeders and I have taken eggs from May 17th to June 27th, but from May 20th to June 1st, just when the poplars are leafing out, appears to be the height of the breed- ing season. Three eggs is the full equipment and I have never seen more in a nest. My first nest was taken May 23rd, 1913. It was an old nest, repaired, and there were several other nests close by. It was made of dead sticks with a few green poplars twigs laid around the edge and a lining of green leaves. It was about twenty-five feet up in a poplar. Another nest taken June 3rd, 1914, was about thirty feet up in a Spruce, It rested on horizontal branches against the trunk, and was composed of dead sticks and lined with pieces of dry poplar bark and a few green spruce and poplar twigs with the leaves on. I have examined fourteen nests in all of the Broad-wing and all have had this finish of green twigs and leaves. The nests are rather flimsily built and quite shallow. Of the four- teen nests examined by me, twelve were in Poplars and only two in Spruce trees. A. D. Henderson, Belvidere, Alberta. THE OOLOGIST 183 BIRD NESTS I FOUND IN 1922 AND 1923 Mocking bird, 89; Brown Capped Nuthatch, 19; Red Headed Wood- pecker, 19; Loggerhead Shrike, 16; Brown Thrasher, 15; Cardinal, 14; Blue Bird, 10; Red Eyed Vireo, 9; Yellow Billed Cuckoo, 8; Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, 7; Orchard Oriole, 6; Crested Flycatcher, 5; Carolina Chic- adee, 4; Summer Tanager, 3; Flicker, 2; Screech Owl, 2; Carolina Wren, 2; Night Hawk, 2; Florida Meadowlark, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Ruby Throated Hummingbird, 2; Wingbird, 2; White Eyed Vireo, 2; Painted Bunt- ing, 2; Ground Dove, 1; Blue Jay, 1; Bob White, 1; Pine Woods Sparrow, 1; Wood Pewee, 1; Chimney Swift, 1; Chuck-Wills-Widow, 1; Purple Mar- tin and English Sparrow Nests were also found. Total 153. 1923 Mockingbird, 68; Loggerhead Shrike, 14; Brown Thrasher, 13; Red Headed Woodpecker, 11; Red Eyed Vireo, 10; Blue Jay, 7; Blue Bird, 6; Brown Capped Nuthatch, 5; Cardinal, 5; Ruby Throated Hummingbird, 3; Crested Flycatcher, 2; Orchard Oriole, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Summer Tanager, 2; Night Hawk, 2; King- bird, 2; Ground Dove, 1; with Parent bird sitting on two egg, on ground, on October 7th; Fish Crow, 1; Yellow Billed Cuckoo, 1; Chuck-Wills-Widow, 1; Florida Crackle, 1; Carolina Chic- adee, 1; Red Bellied Woodpecker, 1; White Eyed Vireo, 1; Florida Mea- dowlark, 1; Flicker, 1; Screech Owl, 1; Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, 1; also quite a few Purple Martins and Eng- lish Sparrew's nests were found. Total, 167. S. A. Grimes, Jacksonville, Fla. THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY A Great Migration of Monarch or Milkweed Butterflies, Anosia Plex- ippus, at St. Louis, Mo., on September 23rd, 1923. Looking through the window at 12:30 p. m., I saw a number of Mon- archs headed southward. Going into the garden I was very much sur- prised to find the air filled with them, all going South, most of them wing- ing their way between 20 to 40 feet above ground, but many higher up, hundreds of feet in the air, some mere specks in the sky or visible only against white fleezy clouds drifting slowly northwestward. Those higher up than the trees and houses and es- pecially those at a great height did very little wing beating, but soared majestically in curves and circles, very much like a flock of migrating hawks. While the great mass was scattered without order, some passed in bunches and others came chasing each other as if in play. When those that flew low reached the houses, they rose almost straight up high enough to skip the roofs, very few flying around the houses. The great- est number passed between 12 and 1 o'clock at the rate of 25 in a minute, and between 1 and 1:30 at an average of 10 in a minute, which means that 1050 passed over my neighbors' houses within one hour. Stragglers continued, some as late as 3:30. I cannot tell when this grand spectacle had commenced, as it was in full force when I noticed it at 12.30. It may have set in when at noon, the sky cleared after an overcast morning. The temperature at the time was 70° and the wind a very light South- west. On the next day, September 24, the St. Louis Globe Democrat, said that billions of butterflies flew over St. Louis, reports coming from all parts 184 THE 00L0QI8t of the city. LfOoking out for Monarchs on the days following this great wave I saw but few, though the weather was as favorable as on the 23rd, which means that the majority had passed South. That Monarchs fly South in fall is well known and many are seen here every year though in varying num- bers, but I have never seen or heard of anything like this migration and I would have hardly believed it that such a congregation were possible. It has never been found out what becomes of the large number of Mon- archs that go South in the fall, as comparatively few are seen in Spring. It must be that -most of them succumb to cold, but the mildness of last win- ter may account for a larger return of them in Spring and the favorable summer for an unusually large crop of children. The early oold spell of September 14, when frost occurred in the north- ern states, may have set the move- ment in motion and passing steadily southward the accumulation was per- fected by continuous additions of those who were ready to join. O. Widmann, St. Louis, Mo. September 29, 1923. AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE For several years last past the Editor of The Oologist, has become increasingly interested in the Butter- flies and Moths. Recently we started in to build up a representative collec- tion of species local to the County in which our home is, and this may pos- sibly later expand to include the more representative species found in North America. In the pursuit of this newly acquired hobby, we have of course had to lay a foundation with books devoted to that subject. At the sale of the Child's Library in New York, we sat by and saw Ed- ward's "Butterflies of America," and Denton's "Butterflies and Moths," sell without any effort to acquire them. Later we place an order for these two works with a dealer in books whom we have patronized for many years. He finally located Denton's for us, and reported at last that he had located a set of Edward's in Lon- don, and that it would reach us short- ly. After waiting several months word came that the copy of Edward's had been sold in London before his second communication had reached there. Ever since that this book dealer and ourselves have been on the look out for this work. About the 1st of November we lo- cated a perfect copy of the three vol- umes of Edward's stored away in an old dusty barn in a nearby village, aparently having been unused and un- packed for many a year; with the re- sult that they are now the property of the writer, in addition to a copy of Strecker's Butterflies, which were thrown in by the seller without charge for good measure. R. M. B. QUITTING John D. Sherman, Jr., of 132 Prim- rose Avenue, Mount Vernon, N. Y., writes us that he is going out of the bird book business and will confine himself hereafter strictly to Insect Books. Now is a good time to buy Bird Books, of this dealer, at reduced prices. R. M. Barnes. The doLOQiit Will Ezchanse personally .aken Florida sets for books. Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also good work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. "^'ANTED — To buy Part 3 for July 1911 of THE AUK. W. H. Workman, Llsmore, Windsor Avenue, Belfast, Ire- land. WANTED — To buy collections of Modern Indian Relics, or most anything in beaded buck skin pieces. Best prices paid for pieces that I need. Robert F. Backus, Box 13, Florence, Colorado. WANTED — Back numbers of Bird Lore. Colored plates from Bird Lore. Issues of the National Geographic con- taining "Birds of Town and Country", and "American Game Birds." Lawrence Compton, 409 W. Webster, Pittsburg. Kansas. AUKS WANTED — Will pay cash for your back numbers which I can use. Please send list with prices. Herbert A. Smith, 550 Lee Ave. Webster Groves, Missouri. Rare Indian relic for sale. Plaster Paris mold of Silver Peace medal given to the Ojrbuay tribe by Pres. Jefferson, in 1801. Albert Lano, Fayetteville, Arkansas. BOOKS FOR SALE — Bendire's Life Histories North American Birds, two Vols.; Fisher's Hawks and Owls; Bailey's Birds of Virginia; Hatch Birds of Minnesota; "Wintle's Birds of Mon- treal; Discoris" Ornitliologist and Oolo- gist; Caperis' Oology of New England. Copies of Auk, Condor, Osprey, Oologist and many others. M^ Raine, 50 Waver- ly Road, Toronto, Canada. INDIAN RELICS^^~fine line of~In- dian Relics for sale cheap. For particu- lars, write to Dr. Thos. Lorang, 109 East Liberty Ave.. Spokane, Wash. FOR SALE — A copy of A. C. Bent's "Life Histories, Gulls and Terns," also "Petrels, etc.," as issued, in paper cov- ers. Make me an offer. H. M. Harri- son, 519 Penn St., Camden, N. J. THE WILSON BULLETIN A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds of Middle North America. Now in its 28th year. 64 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all ac- tive field workers. $1.50 per year. 40 cts. per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL GLUB Address. GORDON WILSON, Secre- tary, 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. WANTED — MIchener's "Insectlvorus Birds of Chester County, Pa."; Jacob's "Summer Birds of Greene County, Pa."; Pennock's "Birds of Chester County, Pa."; Michener's "Birds of Chester County, Pa.", and Warren's "Dlnurnal Rapacious Birds." Will pay cash. State condition and price. Richard F. Miller, 2526 North Second Street, Phlla- delphia, Pa. FOR EXCHANGE OR SALE— Orni- thologist & Oologist. Volumes 8 to 18, and odd volumes and numl)ers of Orni- thologist & Oologist, Bird-Lore, Auk, Osprey, Nidiologist, Condor. Oologist, and North American Fauna and reports, bulletin^;, and other books on birds and mammals. Robert W. Williams, 206 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, Maryland. FOR EXCHANGE— I have f^r ex- change, for skins desired by mo a number of Snowy Owl Skins, In all grades of plumage ranging from al- most pure white males to the darkest colored summer females. If you can use these send me your list of dupli- cates. R. M. Barnese. EXCHANGE — National Geographic Magazines for Bird Magazines, also will take sets. Send want list. J. Earl Harlow, Texico, Illinois^ WANTED— By H. H. Johns"on,npTtts^ field Maine: Bird Lore, Vol. XXIII, 5; Vol. XXIV, all; Journal Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI, 4; VII, 1; Nuttall Bulletin, all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornlth. & Oologist (Seml-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35. 37, 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7. 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North America; Mo- Ilwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds. WANTED — Lepldoptefs from the West and South West, especially Splln- gldae Saturnlldae and Paplloes. Wm. Jay. 12 Westvlew St.. Mt. Airy, Pblla, Pennsylvania. WANT Cooper Bulletin and Condor. Vol. II. all but No. 1; Vol. III. Nos. 1. 2. 5. 6; Vols. IV to VIII incl.; Vol. XXII. Nos. 2. 3, 4, 5; Vol. XXIII, No. 6; Vol. XXIV all but No. 3; Vol. XXV, No. 1. Hoyes Lloyd, 406 Queen St., Ottawa, Canada. A Biboligraph of scarce or out of print. North American Amateur and Trade Periodicals, devoted more or less to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- arate publications. Price 25 cents. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, 111. EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS, a volume of two hundred pages, well illustrated, showing advanced meth- ods in Oology, pricing nearly all North American Bird eggs for ex- change purposes with full directions for preparation of specimens with scientific and common names of each variety. Paper copies $1.00- Cloth bound copies $2.00. R, M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. •. }3i tid. Bird Books Cheap All Bird Books Listed in Catalogue 16 are Now Offered at Greatly Reduced Prices FOR CASH ONLY E. G. AUDUBON— Ornith. Biography— 5 Vols., Bd $37.00 BENDIRE— Life Histories. Both Vols.. Bd 18.00 The same, unbound 14.00 BENT— N. A. Gulls and Terns 3.00 N. A. Petrels and Pelicans 1.50 N. A. Wild Fowl 1.50 BICKNELL— Summer Birds of Catskills, 1882 1.25 BUTLER— Birds of Indiana, 1890 1.50 Birds of Indiana, 1897, Bound 4.00 COUES— Birds of Colorado Valley, with Appendix. Bd.. . 4.00 GATKE— Heligoland, Orn. Observatory, 1895, Bd 7.50 GIRAUD— Birds of Long Island, 1844 10.00 HOWE and ALLEN— Birds of Mass., 1901, Bd 1.00 HOWE and STRUTEV ANT— Birds of R. O., 1899. Bd., Suppl., 1903 1.50 KNICHT— Birds of Maine, 1908, Bd 4.00 MERRIAM— Birds of Connecticut, 1877 2.50 MERSHON— Passenger Pigeon, Bd 3.50 RATHBUN— Bright Feathers ; Sports, complete 15.00 RIDGW AY— Birds North and Middle America ; Bull. So., Parts 1-8 22.50 RIVES CAT.— Birds of Virginias, 1890 1.75 SWAINSON— Fauna Boreali Americana Aves., 1831, 4 to 50 col. pi., Bd 37.00 THOMPSON— Birds of Manitoba, 1891 . ; . 2.50 MANY OTHERS Catalogue 16 on Application JOHN D. SHERMAN, Jr., 132 Primrose Ave. Mount Vernon, N. Y. The Oologist. BIRDS-NESTS-EGGS TAXIDERMY Vol. XL. No. 12. ALBION, N. Y., Deo. , 1923. VVholk No. 440 THE OOLOGIST BRIBF JiPBCIAL. ANNOVIVCRMniVTS Wanted. Kxchan&e. For Sale, BJtc, inserted In this department at IS oents for ench 25 words for one 1s!»iip; encii additional word 1 cent. No notice tn- -»»rt*>d for leas than 25 cents. FOR SALE— One hundred sets of eg-gs, with full data, of the commoner varieties. Very reasonable. List on application. Henry W. Davis. 10 South Baton Rouge Avenue, Ventnor, Atlantic City, N^J\ llt2 FOR SALE — Eggs in sets ofA. O. U. No. 123a, 216, 22S, 264, 277. 328, 339b, 355, 364, 373d. A-1 condition. Number of eggs in each set and price by return mail. Henry W. Davis, 10 South Baton Rouge Ave., Ventnor, Atlantic City. N. J llt2_ FOR SALE — Mounted Birds, Bird Skins, and Mammal Skins, at low prices Will exchange mounted specimens for skins I want. D. V. Hembree, Roswell, Georgia. llt2 FOR DISPOSAL — Complete set of ■R'rd Lore from Vol. 1 to Vol. 16.. for $32. prepaid. First eight years are bound with covers and advs., balance not bound. All in perfect shape; also Bird Lore, Volume four, complete 1902, for $4. Fred M. Dille, Valentine, Nebr. llt3 _ Miss Kite, "White Neck Raven, Swain- son's Hawk, Least Tern, Snowy Plover and many others in original sets, per- sonal take. What have you to offer? R. L. More. Vernon, Texas^ WANTED — A Mounted specimen or skin of Passenger Pigeon. Will give good exchange, or pay cash. O. S. Biggs, San Jo^e^Ill. FOR SALE — 1,000 sets of eggs, about 600 varieties, 1-3 New List Price. All .«ets first class. E. A. Wheeler, East Randolph, N. Y. WANTED — Various volumes and numbers of Western Ornithologist, Ore- gon Naturalist, Oologist. Museum, Petrel, Bittern, Bulletin Michigan O. Club. American Ornithology, etc. Rob- ert W. Williams, 206 Maple Ave., Ta- koma Park, Maryland. I do not w^ant to exchange eggs, but would like to exchange letters with bird lovers anywhere. S. A. Grimes, R. 6, Box 391, Jacksonville, Fla. WANTED — For Cash, well marked clutches, 339, 337, also 3S8, 387, 263, 273. Write first. B. W. Strike, 2 Abingdon, Whitton. Nr. Ipswich, Suffolk, England. SHELL COLLECTORS lind MUSEUMS — A fine lot of the "LIguus" or tree snails from the hammocks of Fla. for sale, or will exchange for skins or effgs. Harold H. Bailey, Miami Beach, Florida^ Jun. 3t Will exchange or pay cash for a few small native or foreign mounted birds needed to fill collection. Also skins if properly prepared for mount- ing. Send list and prices. L. W. Speer. Taxidermist, Sac City, Iowa, WANTED — Sets with nests of North American Warblers; only first class sets wanted. Send for my exchange list. John L. Cole. Nevada. Iowa. 10t3 WANTED — Am building a Museum and desire to secure through exchange or purchase, skins, nests, eggs or mounted specimens of North American Birds, sets of eggs with nests especial- ly desired. Can use many common varieties. Also want Indian Relics, Shells, minerals and Butterflies. Brasher C. Bacon, 315 North Seminary St., Madisonville, Ky. EXCH A NGE ^ LIST — Skins: F, Wood Duck; M. Parallone Gormorant; M, Sage Grouse; 2 M, Mallards: M-F, Gad- well; 2 M. Spoonbill; M-F, Eared Grebe; M, Western Grebe; F, Hooded Merganser; M-F, Bl. Cr. Night Heron; M-F, Caspian Tern; M-F. Ring B. Gull; M-F, Forsters Tern; M-F, Avocet; M-P, Wilson Phalarnpe. Eggs in Sets: Tre- ganzas Blue Heron, 2. 3, 4, 5; R. B. Gull, 2, 3; Farallone Corm, 3. 4; Mal- lard, 5, 7, 8; Gadwall, 7, 8, 9; Cinnamon Teal, 11: Canada Goose. 2; Sage Grouse, 4; Am. Dipner, N.4; Coot, R; Sand Hill Crane, 2. Dr. A. G. Prill, Sclo, Oregon. ATTENTION — We will collect any type of specimens in exchange for LepidoPtera, U. S., Foreign. Associated Butterfly Collectors, W. E. Dickinson, Sec, 573 Lake Drive, Milwaukee. Wis. llt2 FOR SALE or EXCHANGE— A col- lection of some ten thousand stamps, on separate sheets for each country. Want bird skins for all or part. Gus. Langelier, Cape Rouge, Que., Canada. We need Volume 36. No. 11 of The Oologist. Whitman Davis. Librarian, General Library, A. & M. College, Mlss^ EXCHANGE — 1 complete set of North Western School of Taxidermy lessons, value $20.00: what have you? George Carpenter, 746 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. For two years T have been working on a collection of the Raptores (Acclpl- tres) of the world. What have you for exchange? Only flrst class sets wanted. Ralph W. Jackson. Route No. 1. Cambridge. Maryland llt3 FOR EXCHANGE — Bird eggs, bird and animal skins, mounted specimens, butterflies and moths of Northern Ohio, for those of other regions. Will sell at reasonable prices to those wishing mounted specimens for school, offlce or home decoration and have nothing to exchange. Will mount specimens sent by mail. C. F. Zuercher, Sugarcreek, O. WANTED — Subscriptions for^allMag^ azines, at greatly reduced prices. Miss Fay Ball, Lacon, Illinois. The OoLOGiST. Vol. XL. No. 12. Albion, N. Y., Dec, 1923. Whole No. 440 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. BARXES, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, 111. TAKE (NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. If it corresponds with the Whole No. above it denotes that your subscription expires with this issua Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. Entered as second class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Albion. N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. VOL. XL, 1923 With this issue of THE OOLOGIST. we close Vohime XL, the oldest Ornitholog-ical publication in the W^est- ern Hemisphere, but one. We likewise close the year 1923, which, to the editor, has been the most annoying, unpleasant and unsatisfactory of our existence. It is to be hoped that the turn in the River will soon come. THE OOLOGIST will l)e pulilished in the ensuing year 1924, and make its regular monthly visits to the Bird Loving Fraternity, and we appeal right now to our friends to help us to make it a better OOLOGIST than we have ever had. and this can only l)e done by a united effort. We arc trul\ in need of good coj^y right now. — R. IVI. Barnes. 186 THE OOLOGIST MEXICAN JACANA (Jacana spinosa) Since becoming acquainted with The Oologist several years ago, I have read with much interest from time to time of the various rare species and their nests and eggs that were collected and described from all parts of the country, but I have failed to find any notes whatever pertaining to this odd and very interesting bird, and I am herewith enclosing a photo of two sets of eggs that are in my cabinet. In describing these sets I will state that although they were taken many years ago I do not believe the color has faded to any great extent. Set One, four eggs: Three eggs of this set are about uniform in shape but the fourth is slightly more blunt and not running to quite as much point as the others. The shell of all four has a high gloss presumably from the fact that incubation was well ad- vanced. The ground color in all is a beautiful yellowish olive, and over this is a network of very dark umber and black lines intertwining and running haphazard all over the surface. They form blotches on the big end of two of the eggs and almost con- ceal the ground color. If the mark- ing from about ten eggs of the Balti- more Oriole were transfered on to one of the Jacana it would have about the same appearance. There are also fainter shell markings in the form of small spots and blotches of warm brown and lavender. This set was collected by Mr. C. W- Crandall on the northern coast of South America, June 14th, 1898. Incubation was ad- vanced. Nest was composed of twigs and aquatic plants on leaf of Victoria regia plant in swamp. Set Two, four eggs: Two eggs of this set are about uniform in size but the remaining two are larger and smaller respectively. The largest one has a tendency to run more to a point at the big end while the smallest egg is considerably more narrow than the others. The ground tint in this set is more dull and subdued and the shell has none of the luster as is noted in set one as incubation was fresh. The scrawls and lines are also much finer and are blended with the lighter shell markings so as to not appear so clean cut and distinct. The smallest egg is more densely marked around the cen- ter and one would think an insect's feet had been dipped in pigment and then allowed to run around continual- ly until the color was consumed on the shell. This set was collected for Frank B. Armstrong at Tampico, Mexico, May 4th, 1900. Incubation was fresh. Nest was composed of floating trash collected together under curled lily leaf on fresh water pond near town. I am hoping that collectors who are familiar with this specie will come to the front and let us become better ac- quainted with its habits. Harold E. Meyers. Medina, N- Y. AGE AND EXERCISE Rutheven Deane, one of Patriarchs of ornithology writes: "I spent two months on the Maine coast, got a lot of exercise observing birds, motoring, photographing and played sixty games of golf, which meant, a tramp of 275 miles. After my return (to Chicago) I have had to re- trace my steps to Cambridge to attend our annual A. O. U. which was a grand success and well attended." This we regard as a fair record for a man seventy-two years of age. R. M. Barnes. Eggs of Mexican Jacana, in collection of Harold E. Myers, of Medina, N. Y. m THE OOLOQIST WITH THE BIRDS IN THE GEOR- GIAN BAY DISTRICT It was with pleasant anticipation that I left the train on the 6th day of June of this year to change to a motor car which was to carry me to my destination, where I was to meet my friend, Dr. Harrington. Each year we have spent a few weeks in June together on the south shore of Georgian Bay. Our ohject in visiting this part of the country has been, and is, the study of bird life. My spirits were somewhat cooled by the information that there was still lots of ice in the Bay, and when a mile from the beach, this fact was brought home to us by the chilly air. The bay was covered with drift ice as far as the eye could see. Instead of seeing the usual large flocks of Her- ring and Ring-billed Gulls, Common and Caspian Terns and an occasional Loon, there were only a few scattered gulls. However, on arrival at the cottage we soon made ourselves comfortable. The next day the sun came out, and while cold along the beach, it was quite warm a short distance inland. I won't try to describe our experi- ences in detail but will confine my- self to a brief description of the coun- try and some of the birds noted. The country is rolling and very sandy. The ridges are mostly open, while the hollows are usually covered with thick brush, and in some places, quite swampy. The characteristic trees are White and Red pine, cedar, spruce, hemlock, birch and poplar. Elms are numerous along the river where there are lots of alder. Juni- per is also very common. There is a fine beach where numerous shore birds can be seen in the fall. The following birds were found nesting or gave evidence of it: 64 Caspian Tern — Fairly plentiful along the Bay. Nest on one of the Islands in Georgian Bay. 70 Common Tern — Lives up to its name. Nests in small numbers on one of the islands. 77 Black Tern — Common. Nests early in June on a small island lake. A set of four eggs was found on June 15th, 1921. 263 Spotted Sandpiper — Very com- mon. 273 Killdeer — Common. Four in- cubated eggs on island where Terns nest late in July. COOa Canadian Ruffed Grouse — As many as seven hens with broods were seen in one day. A nest with five fresh eggs found at foot of a Maple tree, June 13th, which is very late. 316 Mourning Dove — ^Fairly com- mon. Two nests with eggs found on June 6th. One was built on the trunk of a fallen pine. 388 Black-billed Cuckoo — One was flushed from one egg in an unusually frail nest in a scrub pine. This was the first time we had noted this bird here. 390 King-fisher — Breeds commonly in river banks. 412a Northern Flicker — Very com- mon. One was found nesting in a two foot high stump, the eggs being laid on sawdust (?) on the ground. 417 Whip-poor-will — Common. Two fresh eggs on leaves beside log in woods on June 12th. 420 Nighthawk — Very common. Nests in open country any time in June. 444 King-bird — Nests commonly in bushes and on stumps along river. 456 Phoebe — Very common. 461 Wood Pewee — ^Very common. 463 Yellow-bellied Fly-catchers — One lone bird seen in deep swamp. 477 — B 1 u e J a y — Common. Five fresh eggs in nest in scrub pine deep THE OOLOQIST 189 190 THE OOLOQIST in the woods on June the ninth. 495 Cowbdrd — This bird is very plentiful and few warblers' nests es- cape them. 517 Purple Finch — Fairly common. 529 Gold Finch — Common. 540 Vesper Sparrow — Very com- mon. 560 Chipping Sparrow — These are the two common sparrows. 563 Field Sparrow — Two nests with eggs were found on June the seventh. This is the first year we have noted it. 595 Rose-breasted Grosbeak — Fair- ly common. No nests found. 608 Scarlet Tanager — A pair were seem on the ninth deep in the woods and their incomplete nest was dis- covered. 613 Barn Swallow — Common. 614 Tree Swallow — One pair seen. 616 Bank Swallow — Very common. 619 Cedar Wax-wing — Breeds com- monly in July. 624 Red-eyed Vireo — Common. 636 Black and White Warbler- Common. 645 — Nashville Warbler — R a t h e r common. Its song was heard several times before any of the birds were located, usually high up in the trees. 655 Myrtle Warbler — The common- est warbler. Nests in white and red pine or cedar. I have yet to find one of their nests without a cowbird's egg or eggs in it. 657 Magnolia Warbler — Uncommon. June the twelfth four fresh eggs were found in nest of grass stalks lined with hair and decorated on the out- side with cob-webs. It was placed three feet up in the outer branches of a hemlock on the edge of a clear- ing. 659 Chestnut-sided Warbler — Fair- ly common in suitable localities. 667 Black-throated Green Warbler — Rather common. 673 Prairie Warbler — Common in other years, but scarce this year. A nest with three eggs and two of the Cow-bird was found in a clump of Juniper on the fourteenth of June. They were found with young in 1922, constituting the first breeding record for Canada. 674 Oven Bird — Very common. 681d No. Yellow-throat — Common. On the fifteenth of June a nest was located with four fresh eggs, situated in a grass tussock along the river. 686 Canadian Warbler — ^Fairly com- mon in deep woods. C"7 Redstart — Quite common. 722 Winlei Wren — Occasionally met with in dark swampy woods. This bird ranks with the best as a songster. 735 Chickadee — Common. A nest of young was found on the ninth of June. 759b Hermit Thrush — Rather com- mon. A nest was found on the eighth of June With four recently hatched young. On the twelfth one was found with four slightly incubated eggs. It was made of leaves, bark and grasses, lined with pine needles and sunk well into the ground on the side of a bank amongst second-growth. The author of the foregoing neg- lected to sign his name to it. Will he please forward it, that we may give him the proper credit. R. M. B. THE OOLOGIST 191 A CAREFULLY PREPARED SCIEN- TIFIC COLLECTION OF BIRDS' EGGS OF UNIQUE HISTORI- CAL IMPORTANCE When J. Warren Jacobs was a youth of 14 years, in the early eighties (1883), he began a collection of birds' eggs, little dreaming that he was more than a "nest-robber", a name in which several youngsters shared; and that, some day, he would be called upon to lay before the world, for its inspection or criticism, the results of careful and studious work, embracing a section of a magnificient collection of oological specimens from all parts of North America. Mr. Jacobs denies, with justifiable proof, that, even as a boy, the term 'nest-robber" fits his case. The acts, however, disapproved by his parents, he hid away his specimens, feeling that the disobedience was not antag- onistic to an unprejudiced criticism, but rather a desire to show that an honorable and elevating influence ac- crued therefrom, especially when the incentive came from a conscience en- dowed with that inspiration of talents, the gift of the Creator in the birth of a soul. Other boys sold, traded or des- troyed their collections and dropped out of the game. New ones came on the scene, only to run the length of an insatiable craze for a few months, or a month at most; but it remained for young Jacobs to bear the post of lone sentinel, detached from the rest by continuous Inspiration to hold such material gathered and do better work. After a year or two, his mother be- came reconciled to the desire of her boy to stick to trips afield in quest of his favorite hobby which entirely disassociated him from the ever changing dispositions of his youthful acquaintances. His father, like the fon, had a will of his own which re- quired a longer time to change from settled views, but the egg collection was tolerated nevertheless. That the favor was gaining sentimental ground with the father, was certain, for he was observed to bring traveling men and customers from his works to the house to see the collection of eggs. To show the eggs to the public was not young Jacobs' intention, but when a director of the County Agricultural Pair, in 1887, mentioned the matter to the boy, a glass show case was supplied and a hundred species of sets of eggs were placed on display. Naturally he hung around the ex- hibit, possibly a little pround of his own efforts, but more because of the varied comment he could hear from the crowd always around the case. Standing back, and being unknown to the majority of the throngs, he could enjoy the remarks of apprecia- tion without blushing, and anon, per- mit a little smile to escape at some of the ridiculous and comic remarks. One old lady was sure the set of Cara- cara Eagle eggs were colored with "onion-peel stain", declaring to a com- panion that she had colored hundreds of Easter eggs in that manner. An- other declared that she knew the boy to be of an artistic turn of mind, and tried to open the case to prove that the specimens had been faked with paint decorations. Occasionaly some prepossessing lady, wearing the re- mains of a half dozen murdered birds upon her hat, raved at what she choise to term "wanton cruelty." Or. perhaps, a male "wiseacre", who reveled in slaughtering hundreds of birds for sport, would allude to such work as "unnecessary"; but for the most part, the comment was of a more inteliigpnt strain, and along remarks of wonder and amazement; thereby 1S2 THE OOLOGIST pleasing to the ears of young Jacobs. The County Fair over, the eggs were again placed in the cabinet; and as far as Mr. Jacobs was concerned, the end of public exhibitions. Imagine his surprise, when, in the fall of 1892, he received a letter from Dr. B. H. Warren, State Zoologist, Harrisburg, and author of the fine book, "Birds of Pennsylvania," inquir- ing if a loan of a collection of eggs of the birds indigenous to the state could be arranged for display with other state exhibits at the coming Chicago World's Fair. The collec- tion scanned, resulted in 139 of the species listed by Dr. Warren, as being available, although not all collected within the limits of the Common- wealth; but still being species known to breed within the state were per- missible for display. From the De- partment at Harrisburg, a man was sent to inspect the collection and ar- range for shipment to Harrisburg, where, with other state exhibits and material, it would be consigned to cars for transportation to Chicago. Naturally, when he visited this great World's Fair, his first interest centered in his own exhibit, although he arrived at the Exposition on Sep- tember 6, 1893, Pennsylvania Day, when the grounds were thronged with citizens from his own state. Going direct to the Anthropological Building in which, for lack of space in proper buildings, his collection was installed with Dr. Warren's col- lection of wild birds and animal of Pennsylvania, he found the exhibit, and with more than a nominal inter- est read the exhibitor's card which had been prepared and placed on the cases. Interesting, indeed, were the hun- dreds of comments he heard, and sometimes, inquiry, of some sort, directed to him, lead to recognition which resulted in many chats with or- nithologists and persons in general. While there he met, among others, A. H. Frost, a well known oologist of New York City, and several of the younger oologists of the day. A young man answering to the name of R. M. Barnes, one of the good oolo- gists of the middle west, inquired as to where he could find J. Warren Jacobs, the exhibitor, and being told that he was speaking to his party, ex- claimed in identical words of the Penn- sylvania Executive Commissioner, A. B. Farquer, when he first met Mr. Jacobs, "I expected to see a much older man as exhibitor of this dis- play of eggs." Mr. Barnes may recall questioning the wisdom of risking a collection of eggs in such exhibit; and while the event caused Mr. Jacobs to feel a little shaky in the matter, it is a fact that every egg came back to him, and is in the Museum of Ap- plied Oology today, in as fine condi- tion as before the World's Fair. A snug little section directly east of the Pensylvania exhibit, ^was in- stalled by the State of Ohio — an ed- ucational exhibit — ^with a mounted bird and animal collection installed. Interesting, but less so than the pretty girl attendant, whose name he has forgotten, but the memory of her pleasant disposition and courteous ways, has often caused him to wonder if some lucky Ohioan didn't get a fine little wife. Just beyond the Ohio section was a New York State exhibit, and there he found the very large display of Frank H. Lattin's, consisting of curio, sea shells and birds' eggs, the bulk of the latter, loaned by many of the readers of the Oologist, of which he was owner and publisher at that time. These eggs were of a souvenir char- acter and were returned to their res- pective owners after the Fair. He met many persons there, who were (Continued on page 198) tHE bOLOGISt 193 Director, MUSEUM OF APPLIED OOLOGY, Waynesburg, Pa. m THE OOLOGIST iiiiig®ifflM®ai«(iiEiia-(i"M« «IIEKMI®lML«MF(l!FiMll)^ DPON J. WARREN JACQBS BIRDS EGGS OF PENNSYLVAN -/^^ FACSiMiLE OF GOLD MEDAL DIPLOf.^A, 1;( THE 00L0GI8T SIZE 1^6^ THE 0dL<:)6l6T EGGS OF RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo Borealis) A part of the magnificent series of sets of eggs of this species in the Museum of Applied Oology. A small study group arranged to show variable size and relative distribution of markings. The fine, heavily marked set in the upper left hand corner was collected by Jacobs, Easter Sunday, 1887; and are prized very highly, not only for their tale of reminiscences of long ago, but also for their historical status, having represented the Red- tailed Hawk species in thejacobs exhibit of Eggs of Native Pennsyl- vania Birds, at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893. The OOLOQI8T 197 NEST AND EGGS OF RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilus colubris) Natural Size One of two nests from the collection of J. Warren Jacobs, selected to represent the species in his exhibit of Eggs of Native Pennsyl- vania Birds at the World's Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition), St. Louis, Mo.. 1904. This set was collected in southern Greene County, Pa., June 7, 1900. 198 THE OOLOGIST well known ornithologists and oolo- gists in their day. Frank H. Lattin was there and a brief interview was had with him. Walter F. Webb, of Albion, N. Y., with an assistant, at- tended the exhibit, and many pleasant hours were passed in and about the exhibit. Mr. Jacobs just missed meet- ing A. M. Shields, the well known oologist of Los Angeles, California. Webb tried to call Mr. Shields, who had just left and was still in sight, hut the noise of the throng inter- cepted his call, and Shields was soon lost sight of in the crowd. Looking over tihe Lattin exhibit, Mr. Jacobs expressed the desire to purchase an Ostrich egg and a very fine imitation of the Great Auk's egg, but the rules of the Exposition pro- hibited selling anything from the ex- hibition cases, and Webb had to watch his chance to slip the Auk's egg from the case while no guards were in sight. That was none of Mr. Jacob's business, but he got the prized cast of the Great Auk's egg, just the same, and it still reposes in the collection of eggs, the only arti- ficial egg in the Museum. Aside from his own collection of eggs, the Lattin exhibit and a small demonstration collection exhibited by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, no other of the numerous World col- lections of eggs were to be seen on the grounds. Many months elapsed after the clos- ing of the Fair before his eggs were returned, during which time he felt some anxiety over the delay, and the Harrisburg authorities were jogged a little, whereupon the collection came to hand with a mild reprimand to him for his impatiences! A brief description and list cf this collection is given on page 165 and 168 to 71, "Catalogue of the Exhibits of th'e* State'" of Pennsylvania, and of Pennsylvanians at the World's Colum- bian Exposition, Chicago, 1893," pub: lished by the state. One of the cases in which the eggs were arranged, can be seen in the halftone plate follow- ing page 165, same publication. The eggs back home and again re- placed in the cabinets, was a comfort to him, and impressed him with a feeling that no future exhibits would be made, but in a few years, the state authorities prevailed upon him to make a similar exhibit at the Atlanta Cotton States Exposition, Atlanta, Ga., with a trip there to install the same. Lack of State appropriations, however, curtailed much of the ex- hibit plans, which included the Natur- al History displays. After a large three days' exhibit, including the entire collection of North American Birds' Eggs, in 1896, at his home County Centennial, the eggs again went in repository in the Museum cabinets, hidden away from the public in general, until the fall of 1903, when a letter was received from Prof. H. A. Surface, then State Zoologist at Harrisburg, inquiring if an exhibit similar to the one at Chi- cago could be arranged for the com- ing St. Louis World's Fair. Disliking to run the risk of loss or damage to the only complete, privately owned collection of birds' eggs seen at the Chicago World's Fair, he hesitated further venture of these historical treasurers. Investigation throughout the cabinets disclosed the fact that 159 species indigenous to Pennsylvan- ia could be drawn from the study series withoue disturbing more, than three sets comprising the section ex- hibited at Chicago. Accordingly a collection, far super- ior to his exhibit seen at Chicago World's Fair, was selected from the study series, and such species as warblers, etc., having small nests, were not only represented in the regular display of eggs, but a nest THE 00L0QI8T 199 "With its complement of egg's was also exhibited in a separate case. Alto- gether, about 225 sets, comprising the were in the display. Nothing was left undone to make this display of the very best ma- terial at his command, but his pur- pose was to excell if possible, and place before the public a credible and educational display of oological speci- mens; but never did it enter his mind that he was laboring for a distinction unique in its character, and niche in the World of Ornithological Science as lasting as ornithological history it- self. One day in mid summer, 1904, the mail delivery brought him an open envelope in which was a plain unpretentious card bearing the head- ing of: "International Jury of Awards, Louisiana Purchase Exposition," and stating that he had been awarded the highest class prize offered in the De- partment of Forestry, Fish and G-arae, — a Gold Medal. Was his hat off to the inspiration of perserverance which had been his companion all those years? I'd say it was! Did he feel the thrill all oologists experience when they make a first find of some rare and beautiful set of eggs? I'd say he did! Did he feel a disappear- ing humility from thrusts of an unap- preciative community constituency, seeing in his work, no big money gain, and fit only to be trampled while the rabble all about him went head-long in their false Christian fellowship, greed, gambling and speculation? I'd say he did! Does he not now feel the justification of hurling the name of the stagnant and unapprecia- tive town of his nativity around the world without turning his influence and talents to greed and deception, seeming the chief marks of merit of greatness there? I'd say he does! If the reader has drawn a fair idea of Mr. Jacobs' felings from his des- cription of finding his exhibit upon his visit to the Chicago World's Fair, he can imagine the new thrill he ex- perienced when he visited the St. Louis Exposition, and saw, while yet rome distance away from the Key- stone section in the great Agricultur- al Building, a card erected upon the ca.'^es and reading: "Gold Medal Award, Department 121, Forestry, Fi?h and Game. Eggs of Pennsyl- vania Native Wild Birds." The nests and eggs were arranged according to instructions he had sup- plied the state authorities, and oc- cupied two eight-foot finely finished oak cases with clear glass tops and frosted glass side-panels, of which a series of twelve formed the cordon of an open quadrangle in which were shelved cases containing various Pennsylvania agricultural products, wild fauna and flora resources etc. The State's wild bird and animal col- lection were in upright cases fac- ing the egg exhibit. A partial view of the section is shown on page 238, Vol. II, "Pennsylvania at the World's Fair, St. Louis, 1904," and the egg ex- hibit is described on page 242-5 of the same publication, the Pennsylvania official publication of the Common- wealth's interests at the Exposition. This World's Fair was, by far, the greatest ever held, and nothing of similar character has since eclipsed it in magnitude. While at St. Louis, Mr. Jacobs looked up Otto Widman, the well known Missouri bird authority; and also Philo W. Smith, one of the best known oologists of the middle West at that time. Several hours were passed with Mr. Smith, at his hotel, in which was his den and cabinets of eggs. Mr. Jacobs thought too much of his prize collection to risk its traveling homeward in bumping express cars, 200 THE O O L O G I S T and obtained permission to visit the Fair in its closing days to pack ttie collection in suit case boxes for checking with his personal effects enroute home. Every specimen safely back home, and again replaced in their respective cabinets, there reposing undisturbed, although an inquiry came for its ar- rangement and display at San Fran- cisco; but the distance and inade- quate expense consideration inter- cepted, thereby denying the throngs at that Exposition .to view the won- ders and beauties of the oology of Pennsylvania native birds. In the closing days of the St. Louis Fair, he learned that the National Committee was refusing to distribute the various prizes awarded by the International Jury of Awards on the grounds that some had received graft and favoritism. While Mr. Jacobs was con.^cious of nothing of the kind being responsible for the favor granted him for this exhibit, still he believed that the investigators, strain- ing efforts in search of substantiation of complaints, . might eliminate such things as egg collections as non es- rential and revoke the award. But not so! The investigators held a more sensible view of this branch of ornithological science than do many of the more or less sentimentally bril- liant bird scribes of the present day who rave at the oologist; and after an elapse of several months, a second announcement came to him that his award was arnong those allowed. Previous to this he had obtained an official award ribbon in lieu of the Gold Medal, which in itself is a beau- tiful piece of art work in silk and gold. In March following the close of the Fair, he received the Diploma, and several weeks later, the Gold Medal came by register mail. It might seem wrong for the re- cipient of such fine award and dis- tinction of merit, to offer criticism re- garding the prize so generously con- ferred; but being a bird man, and circulating among bird men who are capable to criticise a work and point out flaws — ^doing so without flowers — he deems it proper to point out a terrible error in the highly artistic design of the Diploma. The moment he unrolled this broad expanse of parchment, his eyes fell upon the un- pardonable error of the artist in de- picting the wings upon the ankles of the aerial messenger so placed that that mythical character must fly back- ward:^, in an upright position, or lie flat upon his back to illustrate the principle of birds' wings in flight ! At least a few Junior Audubon teachers and many of the Junior ClUfb mem- bers could readily see this blunder of the artist! Aside from a small demonstrative collection of eggs in the U. S. De- partment of Agriculture display, and a smaller exhibit from Brazil, S. A., the Jacobs collection of Pennsylvania birds' eggs were all that the World of Ornithological Science seemed wil- ling to spare for use at that greatest of all World's Fairs! All this historical worth of these eggs, of course, add nothing to their scientific value, and are unworthy any greater respect for scientific study, than properly prepared sets taken this year; but still, combined with the original incentive to gather and carefully record scientific data, requiring a set of large books es- pecially made for the tens of thous- ands of records, the whole is greatly enhanced by the award which goes with it, and the fleeting years which steadily enrich the annals of orni- thological science of the past. THE OOLOQitT 201 OZARK APARTMENT HOUSES Every river valley has its deadened timber, and it is very hard to find a river valley or even creelc valley in the Ozarks in which there is not a great deal of deadened timber, most of which is of great height and size. Along the Flat Creek and James and White River bottoms in Stone, Barry, and Taney County, Missouri, some years ago there were a great number of these huge sycamore trees which were veritable bird apartment houses. In the last few years they have much decreased in number on account of age, and many serious windstorms that have felled them in numbers. My wife and I spent two days on Flat Creek, June 20 and 21, 1923, camping just beneath one of the larg- est of the remaining of these huge veterans. It stood like a silvery senti- nel over the valley, towering far over any living tree in the valley. I judge that it is yet at least 125 feet in height, and is broken off so that the topmost part is nearly 20 inches in diameter. It had a main trunk, and two huge side limbs. The trunk at the ground must have been nearly eight feet in diameter. Minute study with my binoculars showed that there were just 34 holes bored into the body of that tree, none of them lower than forty feet. They entered from every direction of the compass, and on all of the forks of the tree. As we loafed about our camp those two days I watched the tree until I located just seven nesting pairs of birds in that one tree. There were four pairs of Flickers, two of Red-headed Woodpeckers, and one of Sparrow Hawks, all living in very amiable companion.S'hlp. As we walked up the road one evening we saw a Red-head tapping on one of the limbs. Mrs. Flicker stuck her head out of the hole and said something that sounded like "Come in. Come in, Come in," to which Mrs. Red-head re- plied with something not liked, for at once there arose an unearthly clamor from both of the birds. Some forty feet away was a smaller tree about 80 feet in height which held 24 holes, but it was so closely grown about by other living trees that I could not find out how many birds occupied it. During the two days we identified 68 species of birds, and 28 nests, none of which we collected, as we were not hunting birds eggs. Johnson A. Neff, Marionville, Missouri. BOOKS RECEIVED British Birds, Volume XVII, No. 5. October, 1923, pp 98—101. "Some Ob- servations on Cuckoos in 1923", by Edgar Chance. This is an interest- ing paper based on experiences of the writer during the season of 1923, and gives observations relating nine dif- ferent eggs of this parasite species. R. M. B. PRAIRIE WARBLER A 1923 breeding colony of Prairie Warbler was found in Southern New Jersey, containing 20 nests; also a nest of Hooded Warbler, a nest of Black and White Warbler, and a Whip-poor-will's nest, four nests of Marsh Hawk and a Short-eared-Owl's. T. E. McMullen, Camden, N. J. 202 THE OOLOGIST NIGHT SINGING OF THE YELLOW BREASTED CHAT I read the article in June, 1923, The Oologist, by Louis S. Kohler, on the above subject. While not near Mr. Kohler, I thought that a few notes from my locality would be worth while. I have been on speaking terms for quite a few years, with the Yel- low Breasted Chat, and I have watched and listened for the Song of the Chat, at all times, but I have paid particular attention to his night sing- ing. During the past season, there have been at least three pairs nesting with- in a quarter of a mile of my home, and their song was to be heard almost every hour. During the nesting period I have heard them sing on several moonlight nights, and their song was as long as during the day, but not as frequent, as during the day time. I have noticed the night singing of the Chat for several years and have paid strict attention to their night singing. During the past season I heard a Chat singing very loud and frequent juft before a thunder shower, and it was very dark and cloudy. He is a strange songster and one whose habits and songs I like to study. I noticed a new call during the past season. It was the shiver of the screech Owl. J. Earl Harlow, Texico, Jefferson Co., 111. "Too Scientifically Scientific" In our mail of November 15th, I find a communication relative to an observation printed in the October The Oologist, which reads as follows: "Your description i. e. 'scientifically scientific' is very well put. Many a young bird student has found the plain simple facts regarding his own observations reproduced in the Oolo- gist, which is the most democratic bird publication. "How great a delight every 'ad- vanced' ornithologist take in review- ing the days of his boyhood finds. The days which preceded his higher education and the trips which in- volved nothing in the way of surplus baggage. With undiminishing inter- est." AD WORDS The "Want Ad" you kindly put in The Oologist, has been very satis- factory, in fact I have received many more letters of the list and prices than I have been able to answer. James Suthard, Madisonville, Kentucky. '^^^^ This is a decidedly valuable publi- cation to anyone who plays at all in the field of Oology, and I am de- lighted to have is as an accession in my library. Donald R. Dickey, Pasadena, California. THE 00L0QI8T 20S GOOD WORDS I much enjoy reading it. William Searl, The Manse Duddington, Edin- burgh, Scotland. * * Don't stop The Oologist on me what- ever you do. Thomas H. Jackson. * * With best wishes to you and a happy and prosperous New Year and success to your useful and interesting Oologist. Alfred L. Marshall, Weep- ing Water, Nebraska. * * I have taken The Oologist since its first issue, and am now seventy-eight years old, but enjoy the little publi- cation as much as ever. C. L. Raw- son, Putnam, Conn. * * Wishing a prosperous New Year and a good luck for The Oologist. Troup D. Perry, Savannah, Ga. * * The Oologist for 1918 has been of unusual interest for bird lovers, and none who are interested in the wel- fare of the bird life should be with- out this magazine. E. J. Wheler, New London, Conn. « • You are doing a wonderful work with the paper, and we are all more indebted to you than we can ever re- pay, for the unselfish interest you have shown in it. Richard C. Har- low, State College, Pa. * * I enjoy the contributions to The Oologist. The papers are all written in the easy democratic way that makes them entertaining. The writers see something, and tell what they see. Geo. E. Osterhout, Winsor, Colo. * * As we do not want to be without The Oologist, or miss a single copy we are enclosing renewal of subscrip- tion. Pahrman Bros., La Port, Ind. Enclosed find fifty cents for renewal of my subscription to The Oologist. It is a genuine pleasure to hand over this for "our" little paper. Ralph W. Jackson, Cambridge, Md. * * It is twenty years since I first sub- scribed for The Oologist, and it is a real pleasure when I receive it each month. Lucius H. Paul, Rochester, N. Y. * « I read portions of all other ornith- ological publications, but The Oolog- ist I read from cover to cover. It grows more and more indispensable year by year. W. D. Richardson, Chicago, 111. * * I still enjoy reading your magazine, and during the whole war, only one number has gone astray. I have deal- ings with many of your leading oologists, and have found them all thoroughly reliable. I collect eggs from all the world and wish there were a few more "oologists" like your.i in other parts of the world. Wm. McLaren, Linwood Stranaer, Scotland. * * I think this month's Oologist is cer- tainly fine. 1 enjoy the magazine very much indeed, and it is a very inter- esting little book. Otto L. Hastings. Bridgeport, Conn. » * Please allow me to congratulate you on bringing The Oologist through the war, with flying colors, and to wish you continued success. Albert F. Gainer, Nashville, Tenn. Jan. 12th, 1919. * • I am pleased with The Oologist. and with my ad in it. which brought the results I desired. I sold my kodak to a gentleman in Mississippi, and have several inquiries from .several states since then concerning it. Johnson Neff, Marionvllle, Mo. 204 THE OOLOdlftT Your little magazine seems to hold its own very well, and takes on color with each succeeding year. B. F. Gault, Jan. 17th, 1919. • • It grows better each year. I cer- tainly appreciate your splendid work. D. E. Olson, Titusville, Pa. Jan. 24, 1919. Please! Please! PLEASE!! Send us copy The Editor 1924 Subscribe for "The Oologist" for 1924. It is the only Bird Journal in North America devoted to the interests of those making collections. It is not too scientific to be popular and not too popular to be ac- curate and scientific. Subscription price per annum fifty cents. Address The Oologist, Lacon, Illinois. THE OOLOGI8T Will Exchange personally .aken Florida sets for books. "Want the last four volumes of AUK: good books on Butterflies, Moths and Insects; also g-ood work on Southern Botany. Tell me what you have and price and will send you list. Oscar E. Baynard, Plant City. Florida. "WANTED — To buy Part 3 for July 1911 of THE AUK. "W. H. "Workman, Lisniore, "V\''indsor Avenue, Belfast, Ire- land. "WANTED— To ^buy collections of Modern Indian Relics, or most anything in beaded buck skin pieces. Best prices paid for pieces that I need. Robert F. Backus, Box 13, Florence, Colorado. "WANTED — Back numbers of Bird Lore. Colored plates from Bird Lore. Issues of the National Geographic con- taining "Birds of Town and Country", and "American Game Birds." Lawrence Compton, 409 "W. "Webster, Pittsburg, Kansas. AUKS "^'ANTED — 'Will pay cash' for .your back numbers whicli I can use. Please send list witli prices. Herbert A. Smith, 550 Lee Ave. "Webster Groves, Missouri. Rare Indian relic for sale. Plaster Paris mold of Silver Peace medal given to the Ojrbuay tribe by Pres. Jefferson, in 1801. Albert Lano, Fayetteville. Arkansas. BOOKS FOR SALE — Bendire's Life Histories North American Birds, two "Vols.; Fisiier's Hawks and Owls; Bailey's Birds of "S'irginia: Hatcli Birds of Minnesota; Wintle's Birds of Mon- treal; Discoris' Ornitliologist and Oolo- gist; Caperis' Oology of New England. Copies of Auk, Condor, Osprey, Oologist and many others. "\;\^. Raine, 50 "Waver- ly Road, Toronto, Canada. INDIAN RELICS^^A"~flne line of In- dian Relics for sale clieap. For particu- lars, write to Dr. Thos. Lorang, 109 East Liberty Ave., Spokane, "^'"ash. FOR SALE — A copy of A. C. Bent's "Life Histories, Gulls and Terns." also "Petrels, etc.," as issued, in 7)apor cov- ers. Make me an offer. H. M. Harri- son, 519 Penn St., Camden, N. J. THE WILSON BULLETIN A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds of Middle North America. Now in its 28th year. 64 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all ac- tive field workers. $1.50 per year. 40 cts. per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Address, GORDON WILSON, Secre- tary, 1434 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. WANTED — Michener's "Insectlvorus Birds of Chester County, Pa."; Jacob's "Summer Birds of Greene County, Pa."; Pennock's "Birds of Chester County, Pa."; Michener's "Birds of Chester County, Pa.", and Warren's "Dinurnal Rapacious Birds." Will pay cash. State condition and price. Richard F. Miller, 2526 North Second Street, Phlla- delpliia. Pa. FOR EXCH.\NGE OR SALE— Orni- tliologist & Oologist. "^''olumes 8 to 18, and odd volumes and nuinliers of Orni- thologist & Oologist, Bird-Lore, Auk, Osprey, Nidiologist, Condor. Oologist, and North American Fauna and reports, bulletins, and other liooks on birds and mammals. Robert W. Williims, 206 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, Maryland. FOR EXCHANGE^^riiave^ for~^ex^ change, for skins desired by me a number of Snowy Owl Skins, In all grades of plumage ranging from al- most pure white males to the darkest colored sufnmer females. If you can use these send me your list of dupli- cates. R. M. Bar nese. EXCHANGE — Natioaal "Geographic Magazines for Bird Magazines, also will take sets. Send want list. J. Earl Harlow, Texico, Illinois. WANTED— By H. H. John"s6n, Pltts^ field Maine: Bird Lore, "Vol. XXIII, B; Vol. XXIV. all; Journal Maine Ornlth. Soc, Vol. VI, 4; VII, 1; Nuttall Bulletin. all; Oologist (Utica), all; Ornlth. & Oologist (Semi-An.) Vols. I & II, all; Wilson Quarterly, Vol. IV, 1; Biol. Sur- vey Bull., Nos. 6, 27, 34, 35, 37, 39; N. A. Fauna, Nos. 7, 19, 22, 27; Maynard, Birds of Eastern North America; Mc- Uwaith, Birds of Ontario, 2nd edition; King, Economic Relations of Wis. Birds^ WANTED — Lepidopters f rom ~^ the West and South West, especially Splln- gidae Saturnlidae and Papiloes. Wm. Jay, 12 Westview St., Mt. Airy, Phlla. Pennsylvania. WANT Cooper Bulletin and Condor. Vol. IT. all but No. 1; Vol. Ill, Nos. 1, 2. 5, G; Vols. IV to VIII incl.: Vol. XXIT, Nos. 2. 3, 4, 5; Vol. XXIII. No. 6; Vol. XXIV all but No. 3; Vol. XXV. No. 1. Hoyes Lloyd, 406 Queen St.. Ottawa, Canada. A Bil)oIi,i;rai)h of scarce or out of print. North American Amateur and Trade Periodicals, devoted more or less to Ornithology. Listing 147 sep- arate publications. Price 25 cents. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, 111. EXCHANGE PRICE LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS P:GGS. a volume of two hundred pages, well illustrated, showing advanced meth- ods in Oology, pricing nearly all North American Bird eggs for ex- change purposes with full directions for preparation of specimens with scir'utific and common names of each variety. Paper copies $1.00. Cloth bound copies $2.00. R. M. Barnes. Lacon, Illinois, WANTED By John D. Sherman, Jr. 132 Primrose Ave., Mount Vernon, New York BOOKS ON INSECTS Bound and Unbound Also SCIENTIFIC SERIALS WEST AMERICAN SCIENTIST, Etc. All Remaining Bv d Books For Sale Cheap John D. Sherman, Jr. 132 Primrose Ave., Mount Vernon, New York